How to Use Montessori Racks and Tubes for Division (Video Inside)
I love the Montessori racks and tubes material. There, I said it. I love teaching it in person and online, watching students manipulate all the moving parts, experiencing those “Ah ha!” moments, and tackling really big problems with young learners.
The racks and tubes Montessori math material, also known as Montessori test tube division, is an effective tool that teaches elementary students how long division works.
In this guide, I’ll introduce the parts of the racks and tubes, walk through a math problem using our digital version, and explain why this material is such a favorite in my classroom.
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Make Division Click with Our Racks and Tubes Material
Montessori Racks and Tubes Single-Digit Divisor Lesson
Montessori Racks and Tubes Double-Digit Divisor Lesson
Montessori Racks and Tubes Triple-Digit Divisor Lesson
Printable Racks and Tubes Montessori Long Division Material
Division Command Cards
The Racks and Tubes Montessori Math Material
Montessori’s racks and tubes material is one of the more complicated math materials—but perfect for children in the second plane of development (ages 6–12). With a little guidance, students thrive on this challenge.
Parts of the Montessori Racks and Tubes Material:
🟢 4 colour-coded division boards (green = thousands, red = hundreds, blue = tens, green = units)
🔵 Colour-coded skittles representing the digits in the divisor
🔴 Colour-coded beads representing the digits in the dividend
🟡 Racks holding tubes with 10 beads each
⚪ Colour-coded cups to hold the dividend beads
🔢 Command cards for premade equations
*Read more about command cards in our blog Montessori Command Cards: What They Are + How to Use Them in Elementary (Ages 6–12)
This hands-on material allows learners to explore division concretely, manipulating numbers with their hands and their minds.
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Racks and Tubes Division With a Montessori Teacher
The magic of racks and tubes really shines when you see it in action. Follow along with me in this step-by-step long division video. If you have access to Montessori racks and tubes at home or in your classroom, this is a perfect way to practice. ⬇️
📽️ Watch here:
In this video:
Two warm-up activities
Parts of a division equation
Explanation of the racks and tubes material
Two double-digit divisor problems (one with remainder, one without)
Goodbye slide
Chapters:
3:33 Warm Up 1 – Math Joke
4:55 Warm Up 2 – Mystery Number
7:58 Parts of a Division Equation
9:44 Parts of Racks and Tubes Material
11:30 Question 1 – No Remainder
28:42 Question 2 – With Remainder
38:04 Goodbye Slide
Why Racks and Tubes is the Best Long Division Material
Dr. Maria Montessori said it best: “What the hand does, the mind remembers.”
With racks and tubes, students are actively learning division through manipulation, observation, and problem-solving.
💡Students as young as six can begin exploring division concepts
💡Builds the crucial hand-to-brain connection
💡Provides a bridge from concrete to abstract thinking
💡Encourages patience, focus, and independent problem-solving
Different Versions of Racks and Tubes
Solid Wood – Durable, visually appealing, but pricier and takes up shelf space
Printable Card Stock – Budget-friendly and easy to replace; great for fine motor skills
Digital Version – Perfect for online teaching, tutoring, or practice at home; mimics the hands-on experience virtually
💡 We have Montessori checkerboard material too!
Explore our TPT store or Etsy shop for visually appealing, space-saving, and Montessori-approved math materials!
Teaching Montessori Racks and Tubes Virtually
Yes, Montessori can work online! Our digital racks and tubes allow students to manipulate virtual beads, boards, and cups, retaining the tactile, hands-on benefits of the material.
- Classroom or Homeschool: Students can practice independently or in small groups
- Tutoring In-Person: Use your laptop alongside physical or printed materials
- Online Classroom: Platforms like Outschool allow for interactive small-group lessons
The Story Behind Our Digital Montessori Math Material
In 2020, I taught Montessori students online without access to physical racks and tubes. Thanks to Karen, my creative partner, we transformed the material into a digital version, keeping the integrity and manipulatives intact. Students could still explore, solve, and learn division step by step—digitally!
Why Use Montessori Math Materials?
Montessori math materials are tactile, structured, and engaging. They help elementary-aged children:
- Connect hands to brain while learning
- Develop concrete understanding of abstract concepts
- Practice self-guided routines with increasingly complex materials
- Build confidence and a love for math
Some favorite materials include: Golden Beads, Stamp Game, Large Bead Frame, Racks and Tubes, Decimal Board, Checkerboard, Fraction Circles, and more.
The Wrap-Up: Racks and Tubes Montessori Division Material
Now you know how to complete a double-digit divisor division question using Montessori racks and tubes. Whether in person, online, or at home, this material is a must-have for elementary classrooms.
Explore our full collection of digital racks and tubes Montessori math materials and bring this hands-on magic to your students, wherever learning happens.
📌 Pin it now, divide with confidence later!
💡 Keep kids busy learning with these fun math activities:
21 Fun Math Games with Dice for Kids 8-12 and FREE Printable Dice
Math Activities for Kids: Explore 9 Montessori-Aligned Ideas
13 Epic Math Card Games That Make Learning Irresistible
25 Math Board Games Kids Love and Teachers Approve!
11 Montessori Math Games Your Kids Will Love This Summer
