Uses pattern blocks to model basic parts-of-a-whole fraction concepts. Suggests that students reflect these models in oral, written, pictorial, and symbolic representations. (MKR)

Presents activities with 10- and 4-straw flexigons, an object created by stringing together lengths of plastic drinking straws with nylon fishing line. Discusses several geometric theorems that can be demonstrated with flexigons. (MKR)

Presents new ideas for using buttons, beans, and beads as teaching manipulatives for elementary school children. The ideas include a button scavenger hunt, a button count, a cup puppet bean game, a numbers guessing game with beans in jars, and a bead stringing activity. (SM)

Suggests several hands-on materials for teaching primary students more concretely the concept of fractions. (HTH)

Lists proven approaches to enhance the teaching of mathematics. Ideas include (1) providing manipulative experiences; (2) planning enrichment activities; (3) reviewing constantly; (4) encouraging the use of calculators and computers; (5) striving to use encouragement instead of praise solely; (6) promoting creative thinking; and (7) minimizing the…

Presents three classification activities in which students work in cooperative small groups using physical materials to foster flexible thinking in doing mathematics. Concludes that attribute blocks are useful physical manipulatives for promoting classification activities and problem-solving skills. (ASK)

The mechanism of routine practice and problem solving that is used as a method of teaching and learning is not simply interpreted as a way in which students only mechanically imitate and memorize rules and skills. Manipulative practice is the genetic place of mathematical thinking and the foundation of concept formation. (ASK)

Uses Stern patterns and Cuisenaire manipulatives to help Down's Syndrome children learn arithmetic. Concludes that the opportunity to discover an arithmetic based upon an algebra of patterns and lengths, and not upon an elaborate counting apprenticeship, might prove of particular further benefit to children with Down's Syndrome. (ASK)

Provides hands-on biology activities using plastic bottles that allow students to become engaged in asking questions, creating experiments, testing hypotheses, and generating answers. Activities explore terrestrial and aquatic systems. (MKR)

Describes two novel teaching ideas based on tabards. Discusses a visual aids model on the digestive system, and the uterus and a developing embryo in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. (Author/ASK)

An instructional media professor discovered that using his hands and asking students to imitate his words and movements communicates (via varied learning styles) certain ideas about the brain. Learning is enhanced by a nonthreatening environment, guiding procedures, appropriate facility design, cooperative learning, and multiple ways of knowing.…

In the study of chemical applications of group theory, some students find it difficult to identify the symmetry elements in a simple geometrical figure or molecular model. Suggests that pattern blocks and mirrors can identify mirror planes in geometrical figures to help students construct, develop, and explain concepts of symmetry elements. (ASK)

Fifth graders (n=16) engaged in manipulative activities to improve their grasp of math concepts; one-third were identified as exceptional children. Posttest results after 12 lessons showed the overall class average increased from 49% to 59% and all areas improved compared to pretest scores. Attitude changes were also apparent. (Contains 24…

This article discusses how paper folding can be used in the classroom to introduce the standard results of school geometry, such as the transversal and parallel lines results, along with results concerning angles in convex polygons and centres of triangles, for example. Angle bisectors, midpoints, perpendiculars are all straightforward…

In this article, the author relates how she designed a math activity she called Beads to use in conjunction with their school's 100th day celebration. Beads has provided her kindergarten class with many opportunities to practice a variety of math skills - counting, patterning, sorting, comparing, making sets, predicting, identifying numerals,…