Math Manipulatives:
How Can They Be Used to
Enhance the Classroom
Experience?
Presented by: Evangeline S. De Guzman / T-111
Amilyn S. Rosas / T-II
OBJECTIVES:
Give you a strong grasp of
what math manipulatives are
and the key benefits of using
them, and
Give 10 favorite math
manipulatives for the
classroom
Math
Manipulatives
These hands-on objects and activities enhance your math
lessons, giving students a concrete way to practice and play
with math concepts. Sometimes it can be difficult for
children to grasp the abstract concepts of adding, subtracting
and multiplying numbers. But math manipulatives can help
them actually see what the numbers are doing.
Math Manipulatives:
• Objects, charts, and activities that engage
learners while helping them develop their
math skills.
• Many math concepts are conceptual and hard
for students to visualize on paper. By
practicing math processes with math
manipulatives, learners can see exactly how
the process affects the numbers and how
problems are solved.
9 Math manipulatives to
implement in your
classroom
1. Dominoes
• Dominoes can be used to teach a variety of
math skills — like addition, multiplication,
division, and subtraction. And they’re
particularly helpful in younger grade levels.
• Dominoes work well for both individual and
small group problem-solving.
• During your math manipulative
time, encourage your students to
create and solve their own math
problems by arranging the
dominoes in different ways. There
are loads of math games you can
play with dominoes. If you need
some ideas, a quick Google search
can pull up enough ideas for the
entire school year.
2. Pattern blocks
Pattern blocks are a math Your students can
manipulative perfect for experiment with
geometry lessons. These how these shapes
blocks are made of either fit together to
plastic or wood and come make new shapes
in a variety of shapes — or images.
like triangles, squares,
rectangles, and trapezoids
3. Online math games
• Regardless of your classroom setup — traditional,
virtual, homeschooling or hybrid — digital math
manipulatives are a great option! They allow students to
engage with math in a unique and fun way. And there’s a
huge variety of online math games online, targeting
whichever math skills you’re currently teaching.
3. Online math games
• The fun nature of online games keeps students excited
and learning at home — because they don’t feel like
homework.
4. Cuisenaire rods
Rectangular rods of various
lengths. They’re often made of
wood, and each length
corresponds to a different color.
For example, all red rods are 10
units long, while all yellow
rods are 5 units long.
4. Cuisenaire rods
These colorful manipulatives
can help bring the otherwise
boring number line to life.
Students can visualize the
distance between numbers, and
see the relationship numbers
have with each other.
5. Two color counters
Simple plastic circles with
one color on each side. You’ll
see them most often used to
demonstrate fractions, basic
addition, subtraction and
counting skills.
5. Two color counters
Two color counter’s simplistic nature
means they’re most popular in lower
grade levels. And even better, two-color
counters are often magnetic, making
them the perfect choice for whiteboard
activities and math games. Use them to
demonstrate lessons when you’re front of
class, or divide students into small groups
so they can experiment and learn.
6. Fraction tiles & fraction circles
Fractions can be particularly
difficult for students to
understand and work with. These
manipulatives can help students
deepen their conceptual
understanding of fractions with
two different math visuals —
making them a perfect pair.
6. Fraction tiles & fraction circles
Allow students to experiment
with how fractions work together
to create not just whole numbers,
but also different fractions within
the whole.
7. Rekenreks counting frames
These simple arithmetic frames
combine the concepts of the
number line, individual counters,
and base-ten models to create a
useful learning tool. Students
move the beads from one end to
the other to practice counting or
assist with basic addition and
subtraction problems.
7. Rekenreks counting frames
Younger students, like those in
Pre-K and elementary school,
benefit the most from Rekenrek
counting frames. Once students
have mastered counting and
single-digit math problems,
they’re ready to move on to
more diverse manipulatives.
8. Place value blocks or base ten blocks
Are used in classrooms from Pre-K all the way to 8th grade.
These little plastic blocks connect to each other, making
them a fun option for teaching a variety math concepts —
like addition, subtraction, fractions, measurement, counting
and more.
8. Place value blocks or base ten blocks
Most sets are colorful and can help students visualize different parts of an
equation. They’re perfect for exploring place value as well. Once students
move up to solving double-digit problems, different colors can be used to
represent the tens and even hundreds place.
Bonus tip: You can also use this place value chart as another in-class
supplement!
9. Geoboards
• Geoboards are small wooden or plastic pegboards that use
string or rubber bands to create a variety of shapes. They’re a
great hands-on activity for practicing shape recognition and
names.
9. Geoboards
• Geoboards can double as a fun brain break for young students.
Pre-K and elementary students are often still working on the
fine motor skills needed to draw shapes and write numbers.
And manipulating the rubber bands or strings can be a
welcome departure from the frustration of writing.
9. Geoboards
3 Key benefits of using math
manipulatives in the classroom
• Increase interactive learning
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Build confidence in each math lesson
• Develop your student’s math skills in a
fun and engaging way
Thank you
for listening!
Resource
Page
Article from Prodigy Education (October
25, 2022)
https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/
blog/math-manipulatives/
