Math Manipulatives

April 20th, 2019

Manipulatives are physical objects and in general, goods gifts to teachers.  They are amazing teaching tools that get students engaged using their hands and their minds to play, manipulate and find solutions.  Curriculum standards call for use of mathematical manipulates and are essential in teaching mathematics.  Here are different ways we may use manipulates in a class room according to Arizona Mathematics Standards:

■ sorting—a pre-mathematical skill that aids in comprehension of patterns and functions 

■ ordering—a pre-mathematical skill that enhances number sense and other math-related abilities 

■ distinguishing patterns—the foundation for making mathematical generalizations 

■ recognizing geometric shapes and understanding relationships among them 

■ making measurements, using both nonstandard and standard units with application to both two and three-dimensional objects 

■ understanding the base-ten system of numbers 

■ comprehending mathematical operations— addition, subtraction, multiplication, division 

■ recognizing relationships among mathematical operations 

■ exploring and describing spatial relationships 

■ identifying and describing different types of symmetry 

■ developing and utilizing spatial memory 

■ learning about and experimenting with transformations 

■ engaging in problem-solving 

■ representing mathematical ideas in a variety of ways 

■ connecting different concepts in mathematics 

■ communicating mathematical ideas effectively

Various Mathematical Manipulates

Manipulatives are important tools in helping students to think and experiment by giving them a more concrete way to compare and reason the concepts, guiding their thought process along so the can come up with tangible results.  Some of the favorites used in classes are Base Ten blocks, Pattern blocks, Unifix cubes, Teddy Bear Counters (now they have bugs and other kinds), Judy Clock, Calendars(used daily), Rulers, Attribute blocks, Ang Legs, Cuisenaire Rods, Spinners and the list goes on.  I found this website Hand 2 Mind, it has a great manipulative glossary and you can also makes purchases of manipulates, but I found their descriptions to be educational explaining what they can do or be used for.

I started to do some research in Manipulates and saw a lot of research that had been done by NCTM, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, which is also an online publication and has tons of resources(membership).  I read several reports on the use of manipulates and their name came coming up so I wanted to include it here because they seem to be some leading research showing the use of manipulates increase the persons thought process, taking concrete ideas into abstract building that conceptual understanding.

Our class has used many manipulatives and I will continue onto my next posts the ideas we used them for and dive further into another concept.