Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

Second grade students at Stratford Road Elementary School engaged in a deep exploration of an ancient cultural product – the Chinese abacus.  First, Mrs. Firestein explained the significance of the abacus and then demonstrated its usage.  Each student had his/her own abacus with which to practice.  Later, students engaged in an exciting competition: when Mrs. Firestein called out and showed a number in character form, students worked collaboratively in their groups and raced to represent it on the abacus! This activity leads to students’ development of competency in three ACTFL World Readiness Standards, namely Culture, Comparisons, and Communication (interpretive mode – listening and reading) at the Novice level.