Using manipulatives (objects) to explore mathematical concepts is an important part of the learning process.  They support a conceptual approach to learning math and allow children to see and create visual representations that help them understand abstract math concepts.

There are many ways you can use everyday objects in your home as math manipulatives.  For young learners, objects found around the home (such as buttons or beads) can be used to show addition. For example, if you have five beads and you add four more beads to the pile you can visually see that there are nine beads in total. Using objects to create visual representation helps children explain their thinking after they have solved a math problem and gives way for meaningful conversations.  

When children begin to develop multiplicative thinking, it is important that they make the connection to an array of objects arranged in columns and rows.  Using squares cut from scrap paper to build arrays of different shapes and sizes is a great way to help children learn about multiplication since repeated groups are visible in the rows and columns (for example, five rows of four shows twenty squares in total). 

To support older students with developing their understanding of fractions, different measuring cups can be used when investigating how they can be combined to create larger amounts.  Some questions that can be explored are how many quarter cups are needed to make three full cups?  What about one-third cups?

You can find digital/virtual manipulatives on the YRDSB site, Supporting Math Learning at Home, by clicking on “Websites” for the grade of your choice.

Go to Exploring Math At Home for more ideas.

Primary Task: Tangram Puzzles 

Print or cut out a Tangram square (these can be found by searching for a “printable tangram template” online.  What can you create with your tangram pieces?  Can you create the following: a cat, a bat, a boat, and a house?

Junior Task: Pentomino Puzzles

Print or cut out a set of Pentomino pieces (these can be found by searching for a “printable pentominoes template” online).  What shapes can you make using the pentominoes?  Can you use all twelve pentominoes to create rectangles of different dimensions (for example, a 3 by 20 rectangle, a 4 by 15 rectangle, and so on)?

Intermediate Task: Pattern Block Patterns

Print or cut out a couple of sets of Pattern Blocks.  (these can be found by searching for “printable pattern blocks” online.  What growing and/or shrinking linear patterns can you create using these blocks?