Math Manipulatives
Manipulatives allow students to visualize and use their tactile senses to learn abstract concepts in math. In their elementary years many students use manipulatives such as pattern tiles, geoboards, and counting cubes. For middle school algebra students use manipulatives that represent positive and negative value as well as variables.
Manipulatives can be easily created or reproduced from templates copied onto cardstock or purchased from a number of different educational supply companies.
In addition to tactile manipulatives, there are several available resources for electronic manipulatives that can be used to demonstrate Math and Algebra concepts. Some of the more popular sources of electronic manipulatives include:
Illuminations |
The NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) provides a number of useful activities that can be used both as demonstrations and as hands on activities for students. Some examples include “The Factor Game” and “Line of Best Fit,” a game which allows students to plot lines and then develop corresponding linear equations. |
National Library of Virtual |
The NLVM contains a collection of electronic manipulatives or applets organized by grade band and standard. |
Shodor Foundation (www.shodor.org) |
Shodor, a nonprofit organization, offers both applets and lesson plans and guides for teachers. |
ESCOT PoW Applets |
ESCOT provides a number of applets that provide a scenario and a “problem of the week” for students to solve. The concepts covered in these applets include developing linear equations from graphs and data and adding rational numbers. |
Illuminations and the NLVM have their manipulatives grouped by grade level. Algebraic concepts for middle school students can be found in manipulatives for grades 5-8.
Both tactile and electronic manipulatives provide teachers with a tool for reinforcing concepts taught in the classroom. Throughout this course you will be asked to seek out examples of applets that you will share with students to reinforce concepts in Math. You will also write reviews of these applets in your electronic math journal or blog. Finally, you will have the opportunity to create your own sets of visuals an manipulatives using simple graphics and presentation tools.
Idea for Classroom Application: Illustrating the Rules
Classroom Application: Work together with your class early in the year to develop a set of posters that define and illustrate the rules of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers.
You can challenge the students to draw their own images or build diagrams using pictures cut from magazines or diagrams found on the internet. Encourage your students to recreate their own versions of any diagrams found.