[AERNet] ideas for very basic Abacus lesson

[Kimberly Morrow, PhD.]

I'm looking for some ideas for an interesting lesson introducing  children to the Abacus. These children are upper-elementary grade level, in a residential school setting, and all function at approximately first-grade level in mathematics. Two of the children have extremely severe learning disabilities, two children have severe behavioral issues. So the type of lesson I'll be teaching is that found in the Abacus Basic Competencies book, counting by 1's. I'll need to make this lesson interesting if I am to captivate these children, most of whom are totally blind, for more than one minute! Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

With utmost respect for those of you who do this every day!!!

Kimberly in KC