Art with Math Manipulatives

Anyone's natural inclination with many math manipulatives is to play with them—to create interesting designs and structures. Rather than threatening students that you will take them away if they play, direct their natural inclinations by including play throughout the instructional sequence. Let them show their answers to problems in creative ways. For instance, with base 10 blocks, they could make three digit numbers in the form of a robot or insect. For added interest, have them make their pictures symmetrical. With the fraction bars, pictured here, they could created a structure and then add up the fractions in the structure. They could compare the structure they made with that of their neighbor. Have the students discuss what they made and why they designed it as they did. Compare and contrast structures. I'm not saying that the entire lesson needs to involve play, but if you want them to remember what you are trying to teach, active engagement should be the goal. Art play is a great way to get there!