"Principles and Standards for School Mathematics" outlines essential features crucial to teaching mathematics so that all students have opportunities to learn mathematics content with conceptual understanding. Although the document outlines extensive goals for the teaching and learning of mathematics, the majority of classrooms fall short in its…

This is an action research project to test a null hypothesis, which states that the use of manipulative materials within the context of mathematics instruction will not yield a significant increase in student achievement. Based on the research, using manipulative materials should have a positive impact on student achievement. Allowing students to…

This article describes how Lego robotics, interactive multimedia, and a simple manipulative--string--can be offered to students through coordinated activities to help them build a conceptual foundation for measuring rate. (Contains 5 figures and 3 tables.)

The purpose of this book is to introduce the geoboard as an effective tool that can help young children understand geometry as they develop spatial sense and mathematical thinking. Activities are clustered into three main sections: beginning geoboard explorations, exploring polygons, and coordinates. Blackline masters are included. (MKR)

Provides a framework for understanding the value of water play for preschoolers and offers suggestions (materials and activities) for incorporating it into a program. (Author/ED)

A workshop on the use of Cuisenaire rods with learning disabled children was held for 300 participants and included a demonstration-lecture, a discussion, and a question-and-answer period. (DB)

Four geoboard activities for elementary school students are described. (SD)

This study investigated the relative effectiveness of three methods of using manipulative materials for instructing third-grade students on addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. Subjects (N=124) were selected from a larger pool from two schools on the basis of scores on a prerequisite skills measure and the pretest. They were randomly…

Reported are the results of a study made to determine the effects of independent study with experimental matematical materials upon selected achievement measure, and the grade level at which these materials can be used most effectively. Experimental treatments were randomly assigned to three classes within two elementary schools at each of the…

The selection of play materials has long been of concern to parents and educators. Many play materials simply do not engage children. In this study toys were openly displayed for free selection and play within a children's recreation center. Data were collected on the subject population, toy selection and toy usage. The results indicated that…

A classroom activity is described where students divided circular regions into equal sections and reassembled them to determine the formula for the area of a circle. Using an odd number of sections (Instead of an even number) changes the shape of the reassembled pieces but still gives rise to the same formula. (MN)

The author cites studies concerning the effectiveness of manipulative and non-manipulative approaches to teaching mathematics in elementary schools. He concludes that, after the first grade, an instructional strategy that gives preeminence to the rise of manipulative materials is unwarrented. (MN)

Discusses: what is meant by curriculum; if manipulatives should be used by children and by children of all ages; if manipulatives should be integral to instruction or an adjunct; what kinds of manipulatives should be used; if manipulative-based lessons should be open-ended or structured; and related topics. (JN)

Presents findings from mathematics education research studies which focused on manipulative materials and mathematics achievement. One study supports a previous review that lessons using manipulative materials have a higher probability of producing greater mathematics achievement than do lessons in which such materials are not used. (JN)