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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Chapter 9

Constructing Manipulatives as a Learning Materials in

Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades

Introduction

Learning Outcome
At the end of the chapter, learners are expected to develop their own
manipulatives in teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades supported by
project proposal.

What are manipulatives?

Manipulatives, in the context of education, are physical tools of teaching,

engaging students visually and physically with objects such as coins, blocks, puzzles,
markers, etc. The use of manipulatives is constructivist because students are actively
engaged in discovery during the learning process. A teacher provides the materials
along with a basic direction, but students should be allowed to explore the materials and
ask questions before and during the lesson.
According to education professor Dr. Jean Shaw, manipulatives are effective for the
following reasons: they are multisensory, they represent ideas in more than one way,
they promote communication among students, and they increase confidence, leading
to lessened confusion and deepened understanding.
According to a review of studies by the National Center for Accessing the General
Curriculum, certain groups of students, including learning-disabled students and
students with limited English skills, benefit from using manipulatives.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Examples of Some Manipulatives Used in Teaching Elementary

Mathematics

Algebra Tiles
Algebra Tiles involve students in learning algebraic concepts, including adding and
subtracting polynomials, factoring trinomials, the Zero Principle, and solving first
and second degree equations. Each tile represents the quantities x, x2, and 1 along
with their additive inverses.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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AngLegs®
AngLegs enable students to study polygons, perimeter, area, angle measurement,
side lengths, and more. The set includes 72 snap-together AngLegs pieces (12
each of six different lengths) and two snap-on View Thru® protractors.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Attribute Blocks
The Attribute Blocks set includes five basic shapes (triangle, square, rectangle,
circle, and hexagon) displaying different attributes. The basic shapes come in three
different colors, two different sizes, and two different thicknesses. Attribute Blocks
can be used to teach sorting, patterns, and identifying attributes.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Base Ten Blocks

Base Ten Blocks are constructed in powers of ten, representing ones, tens,
hundreds, and thousands. The materials include 1-centimeter unit cubes to
represent ones, 10-centimeter rods to represent tens, and 10-centimeter square
blocks to represent hundreds. They can be used to teach number and place value
concepts, such as the use of regrouping in addition and subtraction. They can also
be used to teach measurement concepts, such as area and volume. Place Value
Mats serve as organizers.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Bug Counters
The set of Bug Counters contains counters in six different shapes (grasshopper,
bumblebee, beetle, spider, dragonfly, and caterpillar) and six colors. Bugs can be
used for sorting and counting activities.

Centimeter Cubes
These plastic Centimeter Cubes are 1 cm on a side and come in 10 colors. They
can be used to teach counting, patterning, and spatial reasoning. They are suitable
for measuring area and volume and may also be used to generate data for the
study of probability.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Color Cubes
Color Cubes are available in manipulate® and wood, and six different colors in a
set: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. They help children through hands -
on exploration of basic mathematics and geometric relationships as they stack,
count, sort, and work with patterns.

Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles

The set consists of nine color-coded, 3 ½ inch plastic circles representing a whole,
halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. The circles
enable students to explore fractions, fractional equivalences, the fractional
components of circle graphs, and more.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Squares

The set consists of nine color-coded, 10-cm plastic squares representing a whole,
halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths, and twelfths. The squares
enable students to explore fractions, fractional equivalences, and more.

Geared Clocks
These Geared Clocks are made of plastic and have hidden gears that reflect
accurate hour and minute relationships. The hour and minute hands are color-
coded to match hour and minute markings on the clock face. Clocks allow children
to explore telling time on analog clocks and calculating elapsed time.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Pattern Blocks
Pattern Blocks are a collection of six shapes in six colors—green triangles, orange
squares, blue parallelograms, tan rhombuses, red trapezoids, and yellow
hexagons. The shapes are designed so that the sides are all the same length
except for the trapezoid, which has one side that is twice as long. This feature
makes it possible for the shapes to nest together and provides for a wide range of
explorations.

Rekenrek
A Rekenrek is an arithmetic frame designed to help children visualize addition and
subtraction strategies. The 20-bead Rekenrek features two rows of 10 beads. Each
of these sets of ten are broken into two sets of 5 beads using contrasting colors –
red and white–to help children see numbers, as well as to visualize how numbers
can be composed and decomposed. The Rekenrek combines features of the
number line, individual counters, and base-ten models such as Base Ten Blocks.
This model allows for children to think in groups of those benchmark numbers, 5
and 10.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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Spinners
Spinners enable students to study probability and to generate numbers and data
lists for number operations and data analysis.

Two-Color Counters
These versatile Two-Color Counters are thicker than most other counters and easy
for students to manipulate. They can be used to teach number and operations
concepts, such as patterning, addition and subtraction, and multiplication and
division. Counters can also be used to introduce students to basic ideas of
probability.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUEkmcTeIos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN-Js4nU-Co
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UwGywuh1ps

Reference:
https://www.hand2mind.com/resources/glossary-of-hands-on-
manipulativesManipulatives provide concrete ways for students to bring meaning to
abstract mathematical ideas.

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
— Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist