The best way to teach math is with
real-life applications. The best way to explain math concepts is with hands-on
materials that are multi-sensory. These tools are called math manipulatives
because kids can touch and interact with them. They're not just paper and
pencil activities or textbook lessons. Math manipulatives include real or play
money (for market math), clocks for telling time, fraction bars, pattern
blocks, parquetry blocks, peg boards, base ten blocks, Unifix cubes and
Cuisinaire Rods. Here are websites with free printable math manipulatives for homemade materials.
Mason
has a webpage with dozens of links for free printable math manipulatives, Print pattern blocks, geometry shapes, Base
Ten blocks, color tiles, XY blocks and fraction bars. These tools are commonly
used in preschool, kindergarten and special needs classrooms, but should be used
in all grades to teach geometry, algebra and other maths.
Sparkle
Box from the United Kingdom is jam-packed with free math manipulatives and printables. There are free printable PDFs of clock
activities for telling time, fraction pies and bars, coins and play money for
learning about money math and many free printable math games. Math games
include spinners, dice, game board, pieces and accessories, all free printable
cut-out activities.
Making
Learning Fun has hundreds of free printable math games and manipulatives. This website is organized according to theme,
such as Cats, Apples or different children's literature books. Each theme or
topic has free printable math lessons, crafts, cut and paste, puzzles and more.
Jimmie's
Collage is a neat homeschool blog with gobs of mom-teacher-made math manipulatives to
print. Use in the classroom
or at home.
