Teaching Math with Manipulatives

We all know students learn better by doing.  Here are a few tips for teaching math with manipulatives.  First off, always remember that is easier for the students to actually handle and manipulate objects than to imagine a situation.  We know it takes more effort and more planning for these types of lessons, but we also know it is worth it.  To cut down your planning time, we have some materials ready for you.

Substitution arises very often in mathematics.  Here is a trick for teaching it right the first time.  Your students will better understand "plugging in."

     y = 4x + 2   y = ? when x = 3

Now, the only manipulatives you will need for this activity is some colored index cards (red or pink show up very well), a few markers, and some magnets. (Tip:  you can cut up kitchen magnets into small squares.)

Give a student an index card (already cut in half), a magnet, and a black marker.  Have that student write the value of x on the card.  In this case, the card should have a 3 written on it.

The student should then go to the board and put the pink card on top of the x, where you have x = 3 written.  The board should look like...

Notice that I also put in a multiplication dot.  Now would be a good time to remind the students that 4x really means four times x.  Now, all the student must do is simplify the right side of the equation.

This activity is great for engaging students, and of course teaching math with manipulatives.  It really helps the students to learn substitution. 

Want more free math teaching tools to help improve your teaching skills? 

How would you like to incorporate math jeopardy! into teaching math with manipulatives?  Check out GRADE-A's cool math games!

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