What is an Abacus Bee?

• A math competition using an abacus, mental math, finger math, or counting cubes/manipulatives to compute multiple problems in a designated timeframe
• An abacus is not required to participate
• 4-6 testing rounds of competition will take place depending on skill level
• Some rounds will require students to read math problems in print/braille and solve on the abacus or using mental math
• The dictation round will consist of problems being read aloud while students compute on the abacus or mental math and then record the final answer
• Hands-on exploration and activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts for guests and family members of the participating students
• T-shirt and goody bag for participating students
• Lunch for everyone registered
• Awards Ceremony with certificates and token for all student competitors and prizes for the top scorers at each level
• High expectations for our students!

What skills do students need?

• Read math problems in large print or braille (type of problem depends on student level). Record their answers in print or braille.
• Write or braille their first/last name, category name and round at the top of each page (if they can only spell their name, that’s fine, we can work with them).
• Write or braille an itemized list (problem letters a, b, c, d, etc.) and answer next to the problem letter.
• For the dictation round, listen to a string of numbers and operations and have to mentally calculate the answer or solve on the abacus and record their answers in the same manner as above.
• Mental math can be used. An abacus is not required.

Overview of Contest Levels and Links to Practice Exams

• Rovers (non-competitive) – Addition/Subtraction; 4-6 single digits
• Starters – Addition/Subtraction; 5-10 single digits
• Movers – Addition/Subtraction 10 single digits; Addition/Subtraction single & double; Addition/Subtraction double digits
• Riders – Addition/Subtraction single & double; Addition/Subtraction double; Multiplication 2 digit by 1 digit
• Flyers – Addition/Subtraction 1 & 2 digits; Addition/Subtraction digits; Multiplication 2 digit by 1 digit and 3 by 1; Division 2 by 1 and 3 by 1
• Blasters – Addition/Subtraction 2 digit; Addition/Subtraction 1, 2, & 3 digit; Multiplication 2 by 2; 3 by 2; Division 3 by 1; 4 by 1.

Space Race Dictation Samples – All levels

How to sign up

Fill out the online APH Registration Form to sign up, or print out the PDF Registration Form to fill out and email back to Emily Papenfus by November 14th.

If your planning on just attending to cheer the registrants on, please let us know by filling out this short Additional Registrants for APH Abacus Bee form.