lorisuewho Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 (edited) Do I need the "al abacus" for Rightstart math or can I just use an abacus I already have (whose beads are not the same colors)? (photo added in a lower post) I saw that the plastic standard abacus did not get great reviews, but the wooden one seems pricey. so. . .my questions are: 1. Do I even need the "al" version of the abacus? 2. If I do need Al, is the plastic one good enough or should I spend the money for the wooden one? Thank you. Edited September 2, 2011 by lorisuewho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevilla Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 It will be much more difficult to use the abacus for the mental properties if the beads are not divided into the two separate colors in groups of 5's. The plastic one works just fine IMO, but if you like wood then get wood. We love our al-abacus and it is the one math manipulative used more than any other - I even make the kids use it to add up points in board games like Ticket to Ride which has been great for their math skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 you need the al abacus. the whole foundation of this program is seeing math in quantities of 5 and 10. wood or plastic, doesn't matter. we got the plastic one and i got a mini plastic one for my DS to "use" when he tags along as we are doing math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I'm not sure why the plastic one would get bad reviews? I have 2 of them (only $10 at Rainbow Resource, FYI), and my 2, 4, and 7 year old boys have played with them, stepped on them, thrown them. They're in GREAT shape. I can't say the same for other math manipulatives (like the geared clock :tongue_smilie:). You do need the beads to be different colors (5 and 5). You could paint the beads on the one you have, but that's work for you. So if you're placing an RR order with free shipping anytime soon, I'd just pick up the $10 abacus. The one they carry is THE AL Abacus. I got one in the RS A kit and one separately from RR, and I have no clue which one is which. They're both brand name AL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missouri Okie Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 We use the plastic one and have had no problems. For some lessons, its even advantageous to have two. Also besides the colors on the RS abacus, the back has the columns labeled (1000's, 100's, 10's and 1's) that are used to teach place value when adding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 You can also buy the plastic one on Amazon for $12ish and prime shipping. Our plastic one has taken a beating in the last month here--my two-year-old has claimed it as hers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 You just want one with 2 colors. You can even make your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truebluexf Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Yeah, the wooden one is the one with sticky beads...just get the plastic one! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorisuewho Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 This is the abacus we have. The beads are grouped in 5, but not like the Al one. What do you think? I also have all these left over beads from a beaded chair that fell apart. I also have little skewers that they fit on. But I'm not sure what I would attach the skewers to; we aren't really a handy wood-working family, more of a gluegun kind of gal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevilla Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I would get the real Al Abacus - not only for the beads, but also for the 100's/10's/1's groupings on the back that help a lot with adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 This one is just like the Righstart plastic one http://www.christianbook.com/desktop-horizontal-abacus/pd/7354335?item_code=WW&netp_id=607098&event=ESRCG&view=details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorisuewho Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 I would get the real Al Abacus - not only for the beads, but also for the 100's/10's/1's groupings on the back that help a lot with adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers. Thank you, not what I wanted to hear, but I really needed to know. I'll get the Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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