Illustrates the varied mathematical reasoning involved when a geometric construction problem is solved with three different manipulative tools. (Author/NB)

Describes a study on how effective teachers use manipulatives successfully. Presents factors to recognize when manipulative-based lessons are identified and discusses ways in which the use of manipulatives can go astray. (YDS)

The article suggests that Belcastro rods, which retain the basic properties of Cuisenaire rods but allow instant identification by touch, may be useful in teaching mathematical concepts to blind children. Drawings illustrate use of the rods in teaching such concepts as addition and subtraction. (Author/DB)

Ten activities classifying buttons are presented. Additional suggestions are given for using children's literature and for how to begin. (MNS)

Describes activity boxes which can be used in early childhood classrooms to further curriculum and development goals. Activity boxes are containers filled with related objects categorized by color, shape, or material which encourage children to explore, sort, and manipulate real things. Discusses goals and lists contents for 24 activity boxes.…

This article offers teaching strategies for developing number sense for children who are blind and braille users. Suggestions focus on developing number meanings, exploring number relationships with manipulatives, understanding the relative magnitude of numbers, developing intuitions about the relative effect of operating on numbers, and…

Reviews research on the use of sociodramatic play in developing preschool literacy skills, outlines the development of play centers which can be used to facilitate literacy development, and offers practical suggestions for acquiring the materials needed for the construction of such centers in preschool classrooms and facilities. (MDM)

Shows various methods of folding and cutting 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 9-, and 11-pointed stars. Discusses the geometry underlying each method. (MKR/SW)

Author describes five self-developed activities that utilize readily available materials to help students understand surface tension in liquids. The hands-on activities allow students to see that strong bonds hold molecules together in a liquid and the molecules seem to stretch producing a "skin" at the surface of liquids. (PR)

Presents a lesson that introduces students to polarized light using a problem-solving approach. After illustrating the concept using a slinky and poster board with a vertical slot, students solve the problem of creating a polarized light show using Polya's problem-solving methods. (MDH)

Describes a set of manipulatives that are used to establish a secure understanding of the concepts related to the environmental factors that affect the activities of enzymes. Includes a description of the model components and procedures for construction of the model. (DDR)

Describes a mathematics activity using square pads of notepaper and sticky notes to do simple paper folding in order to increase students' understanding of fractions. (ASK)

Discusses the importance of using children's previous experiences with geometric figures to build foundations for developing geometric thinking. Describes how children's play with unit blocks can be structured to give them experiences with geometric concepts. Contains 12 references. (ASK)

Discussion of the use of manipulative materials in kindergartens focuses on a new generation of computationally enhanced manipulative materials, called digital manipulatives, designed to allow all students to explore mathematical and scientific concepts through direct manipulation of physical objects rather than more abstract methods of learning.…

Describes a study which took place in a grade 9 classroom that consisted of five groups with 3-5 pupils in a group. Pupils were required to calculate the areas of a number of shapes on a geoboard. Concludes that a teacher working with pupils in small groups brings new challenges for mathematics teachers. (Contains 11 references.) (ASK)