Math Manipulatives

[Shannon]

Hi! I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on where to get manipulatives for fractions? I would prefer wooden ones if I can find them. I thought I had seen some one time and now that I am looking for them, I cannot find them.:confused:

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Shannon

[Julie in GA]

Well, these aren't wooden, but the Math-U-See fraction overlays are really nifty. They're a bit pricey ($30), but they allow you to do all kinds of things, like adding 1/2 to 1/3 (i.e. fractions w/o common denominators).

[Myrtle]

For addition and subtraction I printed out pie charts in Excel with the number of pie pieces I needed.

For multiplication and division of fractions I folded a piece of square paper. For example, you fold it in seven vertical strips to represent sevenths, color the number of sevenths indicated in your problem. Then fold it horizontally according to the denominator in the second factor, and shade in the numerator. The overlap of the shaded area represents the product.

Another option is to teach the distributive law when you teach multiplication of integers in the earlier grades and when it comes time to multipy and add fractions you have them apply it to fractions.

I bought some expensive fraction overlays and never used them, folding and cutting paper turned out to be so much more fun.

[Mom2boys]

They sell a wooden fraction "puzzle" that is great for teaching equivalent fractions.
www.alabacus.com (http://www.alabacus.com)

[Kathy in MD]

others might be wooden.

[KristineIN]

We found round plastic ones at Walmart and they came with a booklet and their own plastic storage container. The kids love playing with them.

Kristine

[Shannon]

Thanks for all these suggestions. Now I've got lots of ideas to check into!

Shannon

[Hilary in MI]

You can use pattern blocks to teach fractions as well. Here are just a couple of examples (goggling "pattern block fractions" will get you more):

http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Patterns/

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L345