Have access to computers, but short on the 31 protractors you’ll need for today’s lesson? Or looking for more ways to inspire hands-on math exploration? Look no further than our list of top digital math manipulatives, teacher tested to be student-friendly and relevant!
Glencoe Manipulatives Library:
This is literally a one-stop bank of easy-to-use manipulatives. Geoboards, number cubes, pattern blocks–the works! It also has all sorts of bells and whistles to construct inquiry-based environments including various workmat or game backgrounds, tools like a stopwatch, compass, and ruler, and even a print screen button so students can turn in their math thinking! This is definitely a must-bookmark link for math teachers!
Algebraic Mobiles:
Solve Me Mobiles takes the abstract nature of algebra and turns it into something students can concretely tinker with. Through trial-and-error, students balance the mobile by entering the values of hanging shapes. This is a perfect precursor to algebraic equations.
MathPlayground Manipulatives Library:
This is another library of manipulatives, with the additional feature wherein most of the manipulatives are gamified–there are tasks and “check the answer” components in most. Manipulatives include pattern blocks, transformations, circle graphs, measuring angles, prime factorization, and more!
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives:
This resource likely includes every type of math manipulative you could fathom, and then at least a few more. Just make sure you have Java downloaded and that students use it on a browser other than Chrome (since Chrome and Java do not mix at the moment). Alternatively, they now offer a computer app for purchase to bypass the Java issues.
ABCya!.com Virtual Manipulatives App
Speaking of apps, ABCya.com has put out a free app with some of their top virtual manipulatives for fractions, decimals, and percents. Students will love camera feature, allowing them to project math concepts onto everyday objects.
Featured Image: Tim Geers
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