Using Math Manipulatives

It was somewhat by accident that I started incorporating manipulatives into my children's math lessons—at least to the extent that I do. I can remember my son's Kindergarten workbook having punch out manipulatives in the back, but it was when I came across Rosamond Welchman-Tischler's Start with Manipulatives binder that I realized what an important role manipulatives could play in helping my kids learn. Not only because they offer hands-on learning experiences, but because they can make learning fun.

When my kids were younger, they used a variety of counters to help with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing operations. To visualize place value and the process of regrouping, we would use base ten blocks. We used Cuisenaire® Rods to develop basic number, pattern, measurement, and fraction concepts, and color cubes to learn about area, volume, and basic 3-D structures.

As they got older, we would use dice for practicing basic operations, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. We would take a couple of numbered dice (any number of sides) and a set of operation dice (we made our own out of blank dice before we came across a set), roll them and calculate. Sometimes we would take turns and try to be the first to reach a certain predetermined goal. Dice are also great for practicing greater than and less than activities and for exploring probability concepts. I found the place value dice helpful in introducing writing numbers in expanded form.

My kids also found it helpful to add, subtract, compare, and learn the equivalancies between fractions, decimals, and percents with manipulatives. I think the fraction rings were the best thing I ever purchased. They fit standard fraction circles (found at most Walmart stores and school supply stores) perfectly and include rings to illustrate not only fractions, decimals, and percentages, but also degrees and time. If your kids use fraction circles, I highly recommend the rings. I also used the interlocking tower cubes to demonstrate simple bar graphs.

Geoboards, Polygon Tiles. Pattern Blocks, Relational Solids, GeoTool Compass, Master Angle

We use a variety of geometry manipulatives to explore tiling, area, perimeter, and angles. Pattern blocks and polygon tiles are great for exploring tiling, area, angles, and even fractions. Geoboards (square, isometric, and circle pins), Pentominoes, and Tangrams helped my kids visualize area and perimeter. GeoModel Relational Solids are helpful in identifying shapes and volume. Pentominoes and Tangrams (not pictured) are also great for developing problem solving skills.

In case you're wondering, I purchased these manipulatives from EAI Education, Learning Resources, ETA Cuisenaire, eBay and Amazon. I found that it paid to shop around, since retailers seem to frequently put manipulatives on sale, and you can oftentimes find discontinued ones for sale by resellers.