How to Create Math Manipulatives

Math manipulatives are an objects designed so that a student can learn a mathematical concept by manipulating them. Math manipulatives are invaluable at helping students understand concepts because young children must understand numbers using concrete objects before they can reason abstractly using only numbers. Use manipulatives first to help students understand the logic behind paper and pencil operations that you will be introducing to them. Math manipulatives like base 10 blocks, fraction strips and clocks are crucial to helping students understand abstract math concepts. However, store-bought manipulatives can be expensive, so making your own will save you some money.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 pieces of graph paper
  • Yellow colored pencil or marker
  • Poster board
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • 11--by-17 paper
  • Multi-colored sentence strips
  • Pencil
  • Black marker
  • Paper plate
  • Brass paper fastener
  • 1 sheet of colored paper
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Instructions

  1. Base 10 Blocks

    • 1

      Color four sheets of graph paper yellow and glue them onto poster board.

    • 2

      Cut one of these sheets of graph paper into 10 units that measure 1-by-10. Cut two of the sheets into 100 blocks that measured 10-by-10. Cut the final sheet into one blocks, where you cut out each individual square.

    • 3

      Make a place value mat to teach trading and borrowing in addition and subtraction by dividing an 11--by-17 paper into three equal sections. Label the first section to your left the hundreds and glue or draw a picture of a hundred-unit block. The next section should be labeled the "tens" with a tens block and the final section labeled "ones" with a one block.

    Fraction Strips

    • 4

      Fold one of the strips in half. Label each half 1/2 and cut it at the fold.

    • 5

      Fold a different colored strip in half and then in half again to make 1/4. Label each portion 1/4 and cut at the fold. Follow a similar procedure (except with more folds) to make 1/8 and 1/16.

    • 6

      Measure the sentence strip and divide the total measurement by three to make the 1/3 piece. Make a pencil mark where you will need to make the folds. Fold at the pencil marks, label each portion 1/3 and cut at the folds.

    • 7
      Fractions are difficult for children to understand without manipulatives.

      Cut two more 1/3 pieces using your first ones as guides. Then fold those one 1/3 pieces in half, cut and label 1/6.

    Clock

    • 8

      Write on a paper plate 12 at the top, 6 at the bottom 3 on the right and 9 on left. Fill in the other numbers evenly around.

    • 9

      Cut out of colored paper one long arrow and one short arrow to be the hands for the clock. With a brass fastener carefully poke a hole through the hands.

    • 10
      You can use clocks to practice telling time.

      Poke a hole through the center of the paper plate with your brass fastener and attach your hands to the clock.

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