I have finally figured out a method that is working for me in terms of distributing math manipulatives to my students/table groups! We do A LOT of problem solving work in my classroom and I want my students to have their hands all over manipulatives that help them visualize, solve, and reason with the tasks they are tackling.
In the past, I have tried putting all of my blocks and manipulatives on a centralized shelf where the students could pick and choose what they needed. Everything was orderly and technically everyone had access to what they needed. But…I felt like students would avoid getting out of their seat because of laziness even though the tools a few steps away could help.
So, now each table group has their own box of assorted goodies. It includes:
– Base Ten Blocks
– Unifix Cubes
– Paper Hundreds Charts (to be glued into Math Problem Solving notebooks)
– Paper Number Lines (to be glued into Math Problem Solving notebooks)
My favorite part of this manipulative tub is that students have access to as many hundreds charts and number lines that they can use in their math journals. They are another option of a “model” that the students can use to show their thinking. For example…
Did I hear someone say they need some free printable hundreds charts? You got it! Download them here (google doc).
This is working out so well for me and maybe it gives you some new ideas!
