Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Best Math Manipulatives for the Primary Classroom

September 9, 2019

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom along with a few tips to help you manage these materials.

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom.

 

we are a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

 

Math Manipulatives for the Primary Classroom

 

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Dice, playing cards, and dominoes are some of my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom.

DICE

Dice can be used to play math games, practice math facts, and to work on probability. I love having a variety of colors on hand. My students loved playing these dice games independently and with a partner.

Teacher Tip: If you don’t like the sound of dice, you can lay down a small piece of felt. Tell students that their dice must land on the felt or they lose their turn. You can also invest in foam dice.

 

PLAYING CARDS

I was very fortunate that our math program had playing cards. However, we also had some decks of cards that were donated to the classroom. We used playing cards for games that helped develop math fact fluency and place value.

Teacher Tip: to keep cards together, place the deck in a travel size soap container. These will last longer than a rubberband.

 

DOMINOES

When I first moved to the primary grades, I was given six sets of dominoes. I wanted to put them to use, so I created several domino activities to help my students with various math concepts (addition, subtraction, number comparisons, etc.)

Teacher Tip: You can use double-six dominoes for younger students and move towards double-nine dominoes when you’re ready to work on larger numbers.

 

BASE-10 BLOCKS

I loved having base-10 blocks on hand for teaching place value as well as addition and subtraction with regrouping.

Teacher Tip: If you are looking for a quieter option, you can find foam sets.

 

UNIFIX CUBES

Unifix cubes can be used in a variety of ways. Not only can they be used to build numbers, but they are a handy tool for students learning to add and subtract. I have also used these cubes for patterns, graphing, and to work with ten-frames.

 

COUNTERS

I loved using the red and  yellow counters for probability and to work with ten-frames. Transparent counters also make great game markers – especially on Bingo boards!

 

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Pattern blocks, geoboards, and geometric solids are some of my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom.

 

PATTERN BLOCKS

Pattern blocks are great for building spatial sense. Not only can students use pattern blocks to create larger shapes, but they are a great tool for introducing fractions. I have also used them when teaching symmetry.

 

GEOMETRIC SOLIDS

These were the perfect manipulative to reach for when working with 3-D shapes. My students could physically touch the shapes to determine the number of faces, edges, and vertices. If you are working on capacity, these shapes can be filled with water to help compare amounts, too. My students also loved having them around as a reference tool while playing geometry games.

 

GEOBOARDS AND RUBBER BANDS

I love using Geoboards when working on area and perimeter of shapes. These boards allow students to explore these concepts in a way that paper and pencil simply can’t.

Teacher Tip: Always show your students to hold the rubber band in place on one peg before moving another part of the rubber band.

 

CLOCKS

While many schools and classrooms are going digital, students are still expected to read an analog clock. I loved using my Judy Clock to teach time with my whole class and small groups. You can also find smaller Judy Clocks for students so they can help manipulate the hands of the clock. These are a great tool to use when exploring elapsed time, too. Because they are small, students can carry them around the room while working on different telling time activities.

Teacher Tip: You can also make paper clocks. Just be sure to use thick, cardstock paper. You can even laminate them so they will last longer.

 

COINS

When it comes to teaching coins, I actually prefer the real thing. Plastic coin sets look similar, but kids really do need to see the real coins from time to time. Especially when you consider that most families are using debit and credit cards more frequently than cash.

RULERS

Rulers got a lot of use during our measurement unit and our geometry unit. I prefer rulers that are transparent and include both inches and centimeters. To get my students up and moving during our unit, I used a lot of the activities from this Monster Measurement Pack.

 

BALANCE SCALE

When students needed to weigh objects or compare weights, I loved using a balance scale. A balance scale can be used with math manipulatives you have on hand as well as water. Kids love to explore with this tool.

 

 

Other Favorite Math Tools

 

DRY ERASE MARKERS & SHEET PROTECTORS

I don’t know about your school, but supply budgets seem to get smaller and smaller each year. I was always looking for ways to keep my copy numbers low, so I started investing in sheet protectors. By placing pages inside, games and activities could be used more than one time – sometimes with different results! You can read about even more ways to use sheet protectors in the classroom here.

 

CLIPBOARDS

Long before flexible seating was a thing, I had a classroom set of clipboards. My students used these to work around the classroom throughout the day in math and other subjects, too.

 

TICKETS

Raffle tickets can be used for place value, addition and subtraction, reading large numbers, and more. They can also be used as a classroom management tool. You can read more about how I used them in my classroom here.

 

BOOKS

Just because it’s math time doesn’t mean  you can’t incorporate children’s literature. Books have a magical way of bringing more abstract concepts to life in new ways. You can find a complete list of my favorite books by topic here.

 

 

Managing Math Manipulatives in the Primary Classroom

I have heard many teachers over the years say they don’t like using manipulatives because their students just can’t handle them. Here are a few tips that have helped me.

Teach your students that math manipulatives are tools, not toys. That means they are in students hands for a reason. Show students exactly what they can and cannot do with the math tools.

TOOLS, NOT TOYS

This is one of those phrases that I taught my students from day one. Math manipulatives and supplies are tools, not toys. That means they are in students hands for a reason. If a student brought a toy from home and was playing with it during class, you would most likely hold on to that toy until the end of the day and then send it home. When my students used their math tools as toys, they simply lost the privilege of using those tools until we could practice the proper use again.

 

BUILD IN EXPLORATION TIME

When I knew we were using math manipulatives during the lesson, I always built in exploration time at the beginning of the lesson. By providing this time at the beginning, students can get the play time out of their system so they can focus during the lesson. I also had days where students could earn extra exploration time if all the students were using the math manipulatives correctly during the lesson. They LOVED this!

 

EXPLICITLY TEACH HOW TO USE MANIPULATIVES

Never assume that your students know how you want them to do something. This goes for math manipulatives, too. You need to show them exactly how you expect them to engage with the materials. Set your expectations high for what is, and what is not allowed. Then make sure you take the time to review these expectations as needed.

 

 

 

You can find links to all of my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom on my Amazon Page.

Be sure to check out this post on Reasons to Play Math Games in the classroom.

Happy Teaching!

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom.

signature

Related posts:

5 Reasons to Play Math Games These multiplication mazes are a great way to get your students practicing their math facts. These mazes can be used with markers, crayons, Bingo daubers, highlighters, and dry erase markers.Multiplication Mazes Picture2.pngMath Mazes (Addition and Subtraction) Children’s Books about Telling Time Geometry is all around us in our everyday lives. Whether you are teaching children to identify 2-D and 3-D shapes, explore area and perimeter, or to identify symmetry, picture books can help! Here are some great children’s books about geometry.Children’s Books about Geometry
«
»

Filed Under: math, teacher tips Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Only time will tell! One book I love to read this time of year is Groundhog Weather School. Not only does this book provide a bit of the history behind the holiday, but it also includes information about weather and the seasons. If you’re sharing this book, be sure to grab these free activities to help guide your students through the text. They are available in my TPT store.

Which one are you hoping for?
❄️ more winter
🌸 early spring
Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand out?

At school, Monique wore a uniform every single day. But looking just like everyone else was not for her. One day, she found a huge, red hat in a trunk in the attic and decided she’d wear it to school. Everyone noticed her and had something to say, which made Monique smile…until a teacher told her she had to take off the hat. 

The next day, everyone at school was wearing a hat - everyone except Monique, who was already planning something new to wear the following day. With each new idea and accessory that makes Monique unique comes a series of kids who copy and mimic her style. Can she find a way to be different?

This book is often hard to find, but has a great message about individuality and celebrating that it’s okay to be different! Have you read this one yet?

@kanemillerbooks
The holiday books have been put away. That means o The holiday books have been put away. That means our shelf is ready for a fresh stack of books to share for bedtime stories. Here’s what came home with me on my latest trip to the local library. 

👀 See any titles that catch your eye?
I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the gram, but sometimes YOU are the ones who introduce books to me. This is one of those stories.

Sarah lives alone in her little house now that her children are all grown up. Every time she looks out her window, she sees the neighborhood children waiting for the bus. One winter morning she notices a boy who doesn’t have mittens. This worries her, so she gathers some supplies and sets out to knit him a new pair. Once finished, she hangs them on the tree next to the bus stop. 

When the boy finds the mittens the next day, he quickly tries them on and beams at their perfect fit. Sarah’s heart is filled with joy and it isn’t long before she makes even more mittens to hang on the tree. The kids look forward to finding these new treasures each morning at the bus stop. Sarah is sure that no one knows it is her adding to the mitten tree until one day she returns home and finds a surprise waiting for her - a basket filled with beautiful balls of yarn.

This heartwarming story has a great message about kindness, community, and the joy that comes from helping others. It would make a great addition to your winter book collection!

Have you read The Mitten Tree?

#themittentree
I might share a lot of picture books, but I do lov I might share a lot of picture books, but I do love chapter books, too. One of my favorites for January is Mr. Popper’s Penguins. While this story has been around for decades, it still manages to entertain readers of all ages. ⁣
⁣
If you aren’t familiar, Mr. Popper is a housepainter who daydreams about polar expeditions. One day he receives a real penguin and his world turns upside down. Soon after the penguin grows lonely and the Poppers add a second penguin to their home. It isn’t long before they have 10 penguin chicks, making that 12 penguins in all! With so many mouths to feed, Mr. Popper realizes he will have to do something to bring in more money. That’s when Popper’s Performing Penguins gets started. The show goes on tour and plenty of hilarious antics begin!⁣
⁣
I used this book with some of my reading groups in both 2nd and 3rd grade with the help of a few resources to guide students through the text (comprehension questions for each chapter, vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, and more). There’s also a penguin craft, which was a big hit! This resource is available in my TPT store. Drop a 🐧 in the comments or send me a DM if you’d like the link. ⁣
⁣
When it comes to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which do you prefer?⁣
📖  Book⁣
🎥  Movie⁣
Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Or maybe you’ve let the opinions of others creep into your mind  and start to doubt yourself? If so, I think you should read Lone Wolf.⁣
⁣
In this story, Maple is a member of the Parker family. She loves playing tug-of-war with Jax, reading with Avery, getting treats, and going for looooooooong walks. But wherever she goes, people comment that she looks more like a wolf than a dog. The Parkers explain the difference between a husky and a wolf, but Maple starts to have her doubts. ⁣
⁣
One day, Maple sees the fence open and takes her chance to explore the wild as a lone wolf. Will Maple love this new lifestyle, or will she realize that home with the Parkers is where she truly belongs? ⁣
⁣
This charming story explores family, self-doubt, and finding the place where you belong. It would be a great story to share in the classroom or at home.⁣
⁣
Have you read Lone Wolf yet?
Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this week or next week, please don’t forget to make time to review your classroom rules and procedures. You can make this process a bit more enjoyable by sharing books. Sometimes these stories have a way of getting through when your words can’t. I put together a list of my favorites on my website. Tap the link in my bio or drop a comment below if you’d like me to send you the link. 

When do students head back to school in your area?

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs