Lesson · L1

Setting Your First Numbers

number-setting 12 min child, adult

L1Level

number-settingSkill

12mTime

child/adultAudience

Reading a Single DigitPrerequisite

Best for

Best for guided progression in this stage of practice.

1. Read the core idea 2. Study the worked example 3. Practice the related drills

Core idea

Practice placing simple values cleanly and intentionally.

Objectives

Good soroban work begins with controlled movement.

Setting rule

Move only the beads needed to make the digit. Then pause and check the beam.

Rushing the movement and leaving an extra lower bead active.

Next step

Use practice mode for immediate repetition, or open worksheets for denser drill sets tied to this level and skill.

Previous lesson

Read one soroban rod accurately before moving to larger numbers.

Best next step: stabilize the prerequisite first Open previous lesson →

Next lesson

Begin addition with controlled changes on a single rod.

Best next step: continue while the pattern is still clear Open next lesson →

Set the number four
L1 number-setting 3 min

Four is made entirely with lower beads, one point each.

Best next step: attempt before checking Try exercise →
Set the number eight
L1 number-setting 4 min

Eight is faster to set as 5 + 3 than by trying to count only with lower beads.

Best next step: attempt before checking Try exercise →