Key Educational Tools for Math Learning

Posted on Jun 4, 2025 in Technology

Materials for Understanding Fractions

Strips can assist in the study of fractions. The Dienes Multibase Blocks are a valuable resource, consisting of a set of wooden pieces that form:

  • Unit Cubes (1cm cubes)
  • Rods (equal to 10 unit cubes)
  • Flats (equal to 10 rods or 100 unit cubes)
  • Large Blocks (equal to 10 flats or 1000 unit cubes)

These pieces can be arranged in various ways to represent numbers and fractions. For example, a unit cube is one-tenth of a rod, a rod is one-tenth of a flat, and a flat is one-tenth of a large block.

Consider a collection of 1 large block, 2 flats, 3 rods, and 4 unit cubes:

  • If the large block is considered the whole, the value represented is 1.234.
  • If a flat is considered the whole, the value is 12.34.
  • If a rod is considered the whole, the value is 123.4.
  • If a unit cube is considered the whole, the value is 1234.

Manipulatives for Number Concept Development

These materials are designed to promote the acquisition and understanding of number concepts.

  • Abacus: The Abacus features a wooden support with metal rods holding beads. It serves as a valuable tool for teaching number systems and arithmetic calculations with natural numbers.
  • Dienes Logical Blocks: The Dienes Logical Blocks are widely used in group activities for sorting and classification. This set includes 48 wooden pieces, each varying across four attributes: shape, size, color, and thickness.
  • Multibase Dienes Blocks: Multibase Dienes Blocks consist of a series of wooden pieces, including 1cm cubes, rods, flats, and blocks (often in bases like 4, 5, or 10). They help students understand number systems through hands-on manipulation.
  • Domino: Dominos are rectangular pieces of wood, plastic, or cardboard, divided into two parts. One part may be blank, while the other displays a series of dots (e.g., 1 to 9) or different figures.
  • Sandpaper Numbers: Sandpaper Numbers are wooden splints with sandpaper numbers (0-9) affixed. They help children recognize numbers through tactile exploration.
  • Number Cutouts: Number Cutouts (plastic or wood) are used as templates to trace number contours.
  • Number Puzzles: Number Puzzles are rectangular pieces of wood, plastic, or cardboard, divided into two parts. One part shows a number, and the other shows a corresponding quantity of objects. These pieces are separated by irregular, distinct cuts for self-correction.
  • Cuisenaire Rods: Cuisenaire Rods are a set of wooden bars in 10 different colors and sizes, ranging from 1cm to 10cm. They are used to establish equivalencies and explore number relationships.

Geometry Learning Materials and Tools

Geometry materials include:

  • Audiovisual communication materials (e.g., whiteboards and slides)
  • Drawing materials (e.g., rulers, meter sticks)
  • Reading materials (e.g., books, stories)
  • Measurement materials (e.g., rulers, protractors)
  • Model materials (e.g., polyhedra, mosaics)
  • Materials for concept discovery (e.g., geoboards for polygons)
  • Materials for problem-solving (e.g., puzzles, Meccano sets)

All this material is used in the geometry laboratory. The work is performed as follows:

  1. The teacher introduces the topic.
  2. The objectives are made known.
  3. Research to be conducted is presented.
  4. Realization, contrast, and sharing of discoveries are performed.
  5. Exercises are completed and solved.

Specific Geometry Laboratory Materials

  • Geoboard: The Geoboard is typically a square wooden board with flat-head nails arranged in a grid. Rubber bands are placed around these nails to represent polygons, symmetry, translations, coordinate axes, and more.
  • Polyominoes: Polyominoes are shapes formed by connecting unit squares edge-to-edge in all possible ways. They help promote spatial reasoning and mental ability. Different polyominoes are obtained based on the number of squares used.
  • Tangram: The Tangram is a Chinese dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat polygons (tans) obtained by dividing a square. The goal is to form specific shapes using all seven pieces, which must lie flat and not overlap.
  • Meccano: Meccano sets consist of mechanical strips of various sizes and colors with holes, nuts, and bolts. These can be used to extend lengths and form both open and closed structures.
  • Polycubes: Polycubes are pieces made of wood, plastic, or cardboard, shaped like cubes that can be fitted together.
  • Fixed Models: Fixed Models are pre-made wooden or plastic models, often representing regular polyhedra.