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 Posted 3/28/2009 9:40:43 AM |
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| We (adults) are finding the abacus very hard to put together. I can't see how the kids, especially the younger ones, are going to manage it. Does anyone have any ideas for an alternate craft/activity?
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| Posted 3/28/2009 5:06:20 PM |
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We are not using the Group's Abacus, I think it looks to plastic and does not look like a children's craft at all. I goggled Popsicle Abacus and got a picture of a pertty good looking one. http://www.geocities.com/learner_center/abacus.html check out this website and see if it gives you an idea.
Ginger Bell <><
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| Posted 3/28/2009 10:28:00 PM |
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| I would love to confer with someone in Columbia, SC who is using or have used this VBS program. This is our first time using the hla program so, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss some of our challenges. God's blessings,
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| Posted 3/29/2009 4:27:02 PM |
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| Thanks for the link - this looks much more promising than Group's, and I totally agree about the plastic look not fitting. I'd still love to hear more ideas if anyone has them. Thanks!
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| Posted 3/30/2009 1:00:15 PM |
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Just want to give an opinion, the craft doesn't need to be done in one day, so you can have the family work together for 2, 3 days. Usually when a family has a little one the parents help them up, so it's easy for the shopkeeper.
 DENISE SILVA IN NJ
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| Posted 4/2/2009 8:56:59 AM |
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we took the popsicle stick abacus plan and modified it a bit. We got a 1X4 and cut it so it was as wide as a popsicle stick is long, and then cut a series of grooves along it that a bamboo skewer would fit into. Then we cut the 1X4 into strips the size of a popsicle stick and used 3 of those for a base. then you can fit the ends of the skewers into one of the strip, glue on a popsicle stick , add beads, and repeat. We used elmers glue, but I also added a glue dot for "basting" so that the stick stays in place better for little hands. I had my 4 and 5 year old grandsons "field test" this. They were able to make the abacus with very little help in about 20 min. We are using their and my samples in the shop so that newly made ones can be allowed to dry and kids can still learn to use them.
These allow a lot more creativity as well. the boys had pretty firm opinions about the correct use of color in their beads!
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| Posted 4/3/2009 5:25:30 PM |
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| I wasn't real happy with groups abacus, either. It seemed like it would be more frustrating than fun. I went searching on the internet for other ideas and found a couple of good ideas. I found the popsicle stick abacus and another one that I may like even better. It uses sticky-back craft foam. The website is www.craftsforlearning.com/MiniAbacus.htm (it is case sensitive). We haven't tested either of them yet so I can't recommend them. They just appear to be good and affordable options. Debi
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| Posted 4/5/2009 8:01:59 PM |
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| I love the link that Debi posted with directions for the sticky-back foam abacus. They're suggesting you make it tiny and use it for a pin, but I made one large from foam, bamboo skewers, and pony beads and it's about 4.5" x 6": 
The skewers were a little tight fighting through the beads. I don't know if I need to use a smaller dowel or get beads with bigger holes. That adhesive foam is plenty sticky enough for this. We were going to order the abacus kits from Guildcraft, but I think I like this one better and it'll be much, much cheaper. I try to save money on the crafts so we can afford to give the kids the music CD. We may even do the tiny abacus as a pin or an ornament as an extra project in that shop.
 Amy in Ohio
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| Posted 4/20/2009 7:57:50 AM |
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| I agree with everyone that the abacus in the craft kit is not very good. We will end up using either the popsicle stick one or the one using the self-adhesive craft foam. Will have to see how that works. I don't understand how Group can have so many great crafts for Rome and then have the plastic Abacus? Oh well... Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on the leather bracelets? I'm wondering if it would be less expensive to create our own.... Froggy in SD
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| Posted 4/23/2009 12:45:46 PM |
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| Amy in Ohio, That's Awesome!!! We will definitely be using this as a craft! Thank you so much! Brandy First Baptist Church Elizabeth city, NC
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