Which of the following exercises is NOT taught with the number rods?

The exercise that is not typically taught with the number rods is multiplication. In the Montessori method, number rods are primarily used to help children understand the concepts of quantity and symbol association, as well as to explore addition and the idea of subtraction through physical manipulation of the rods. They are effective in illustrating these foundational arithmetic concepts because children can visually and tangibly perceive the lengths of the rods representing different numbers.

When it comes to multiplication, while the concept of repeated addition can eventually be explored through other Montessori materials designed for that purpose, number rods are not typically the focus for teaching multiplication specifically. Instead, other materials such as the checkerboard or multiplication beads are employed to effectively convey the principles of multiplication, allowing for deeper understanding and practice of this operation.

In contrast, activities that associate quantities with their respective numerical symbols, facilitate counting, and teach subtraction concepts are integral to the learning experience with number rods. This hands-on approach encourages children to engage with mathematics in a concrete way before transitioning to abstract reasoning.