Workshop Wednesday: Math Manipulatives

Do you have a favorite math manipulative to use in your classroom? My class likes unifix cubes! Of course, I let them build for a couple of minutes to get it out of their system before we get to work!
Perspectives are such a hard concept for fourth graders to grasp and they need many hands on experiences. One of the first things we do is use our math book to build the models and then draw different perspectives: top, side, base views. Using the cubes really helps the concept sink in for several students.
 

 
I also use them to teach volume. I "premake" several shapes and pass them out to each group to calculate the volume. Each group works collaboratively to find the correct answers. Then each group passes on the shape to the next group to figure out. It gives them 5-6 chances to practice with models before I have them build shapes with a set number (much more challenging!).

 

 

 Unifix cubes can be used for so many math concepts! What do you use them for?

 

I love Workshop Wednesdays with my buddy Jessica-so many GREAT ideas to be shared!

Don't forget to be thinking about something to link up for Saturday! I know we're running low on fumes, but we want to know what you do to spark yourself or your students?! It can be ANYTHING that gets you or them excited! Hope to see you there!