1510 - Working with Manipulatives

With so many different manipulatives available on the internet, how do you choose which ones are the best? You Tube is always my first stop shop for help as they provide countless video options for all ages to to explore. This is where I start, and it's pretty reliable. Yes, there is some non-factual videos on there, but for the most part, you can find what you need. Here is one on using math manipulatives for teaching addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. As you can see, it's done very professionally and looks legit. So, are there better options on the internet that are more reliable? You betcha.

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is another great place to start in your search. This site is grade specific and covers multiple topics. As a teacher, this is an absolute bookmark for future references. If you ever get stuck or have a student you need to help, but you are unsure of how to help them, this site can help.

If you're not convinced manipulatives can help you teach, read this article from Marylin Burns, who is a creator of manipulatives for over 30 years. She gives great perspective on their effective use and how to implement then into your classroom. My favorite is how she allows parents to get their hands on them too, as it's important for parents to understand why children are using the material.

When looking for the best place, do your research and check them out, talk to other teachers or parents to see if they have had a positive experience with one over another. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.