Things You'll Need:
- Colored linking cubes such as Unifix cubes
- Two-color counters
- Dice
- Playing cards
- Dominoes
- Capacity measurers (measuring cups, volume containers)
- Rulers
- Clocks
- Scales
- Pattern blocks
- Tangrams
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Step 1
Use colored linking cubes, such as Unifix cubes, to help students learn measurement using nonstandard units. They also help students visualize the concept of area and geometric shapes when linked together to create shapes. Teach students about percent, probability and fractions using multicolored linking cubes arranged to illustrate different percents or fractions. Use several cubes in an opaque bag to teach probability. Have students pull them out one at a time and attempt to guess the colors inside.
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Step 2
Use two-color counters to create equation visuals that teach equivalence, number concepts and strategies for addition and subtraction. Utilize their colors to create visuals showing ratio, proportion or fractions. Two-color counters also help the youngest students understand odd and even numbers or create patterns.
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Step 3
Playing cards, dominoes, and number cubes---commonly known as dice---always excite students about math time. Use them to illustrate decimals or whole numbers. They also add interest to mental math games such as Addition, Subtraction or Multiplication War. Students simply apply the assigned operation to the two numbers on the dice and determine who has the larger number. Use dice, dominoes or playing cards to help students understand probability and logical reasoning as they predict how many times they will roll or pull a certain number on the dice, cards or dominoes.
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Step 4
Students can use actual measuring devices and manipulatives such as measuring cups, volume containers, rulers, scales and clocks in order to understand the concept of measurement. As students measure each item, they will arrive at a sense of what others mean when referring to a gallon, foot or minute. Without experiencing the hands-on measuring process, students do not have a good reference point for the words or situations they encounter when problem solving.
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Step 5
Students gain an understanding of spatial sense and geometry when allowed to experience pattern blocks and tangrams. Use these manipulatives in problem-solving activities that challenge students to create a certain shape with a specific number of sides, angles or geometric shapes. Use them to create complex patterns or as manipulatives that assist with solving word problems.
