The major curriculum expectations are brought to life with these hands-on activities that involve students directly in their learning.

There is no better way to learn concepts than to experience them, and with these activities’ students create their own math manipulatives with everyday items found in the classroom or at home.

Whether you use these at the start or conclusion of math lessons, or as the basis of individual or group work, you'll find them a valuable addition to your teaching strategies.

You should find many of these activities adaptable in terms of actual materials used. For example, if the activity suggests “buttons”, often “pennies” can be used. Many activities suggest a game to play and implies that the games are 2 Player games, however, many activities can have more than two students and often, a single person can follow the steps alone.

Finally, most of the activities are suitable for the average Grade 4, 5, or 6 students. While some activities will be quite challenging for Grade 4 or review for Grade 6, many can be adapted to each of the grade levels.

Teachers can set the standard that they expect their students to achieve by showing examples of students who are performing the activity at the expected level. For example, save a student sample of a graph or pattern (take a picture if it was done with manipulatives) of a suitable level of work and leave it at the centre.

Students working below or above grade level should be encouraged to work to the best of their own ability. Students who achieve below grade level results should be encouraged to watch and learn from others and observe how they are getting their results.

Students working above grade level should be encouraged to model how they are working through the activity. Encourage peer teaching whenever possible.

The NCTM standards covered are included with each topic. 

Teacher Notes Include:

• At a Glance – Learning Expectations Covered
• Teacher Rubric
• Student Rubric
• Teacher Suggestions 

Everyday Manipulatives for: 

Number Sense and Numeration

Number sense and numeration/operations is the ability to relate numbers to the quantities they represent. Numeration/operations are the computations that students perform with numbers. Manipulatives should be used to help students use representations, develop mathematical thinking and reasoning skills and to create problem solving strategies. 

Main Objectives:

• Numeration and place value
• Arithmetic functions with whole numbers, rational numbers, and integers (break down to add/subtract, multiply/divide, rationales, integers)
• Fractions, decimals, and percents 

Worksheet Topics:

1. Estimation Jars
2. Place Value
3. Number Contest
4. Multiplying Mania
5. Figuring Fractions
6. Spinning In Circles
7. Multiple Arrays
8. Grid Division
9. Grid Fractions
10. Dice Fractions
11. Equality Pies
12. Lining Up Decimals
13. Dividing Dice
14. Estimating Decimals
15. Bull’s Eye Estimates
16. Array Division
17. Base Ten Estimation
18. Adding Fractions with Cuisenaire Rods 

Geometry

Geometry is the study of spatial patterns and learning to make sense of objects and locations in their physical environment. Manipulatives should be used to help students focus on representations, reasoning skills and to develop mathematical arguments. These activities with regular practice over time, allow students to develop stronger geometry skills. 

Main Objectives:

• Two- and three-dimensional shapes
• Symmetry and translation 

Worksheet Topics:

1. Three Terrific Angles
2. Triangle Classification
3. Shapes are Everywhere
4. Spin the Line
5. Secret Polygon
6. All About Solids
7. Design a Cube
8. Grid Lock
9. Battleship - Coordinates
10. Congruent Angles
11. Classifying 3D Shapes 

Measurement

Measurement is assigning a numerical value to a given attribute by physically measuring it. It combines geometry and number strands. Manipulatives should be used to help students focus on choosing a unit of measure and comparing it to the object and reporting the measurement. Developing estimation strategies and understanding the relationship between various measurements are also a benefit of using manipulatives. The activities suggested in this book should, with regular practice over time, allow students to develop stronger measurement skills. 

Main Objectives:

• Distance, in appropriate units
• Time, in appropriate units
• Perimeter and area
• Volume and surface area 

Worksheet Topics:

1. Presenting Perimeters
2. Perfect Perimeters
3. Area and Perimeter
4. Area
5. Shopping Time
6. Dining Out
7. Measuring Mania
8. Container Capacity
9. Measuring Mass
10. Time and Time Again
11. Surface Area of 3D Shapes 

Data and Probability

Data and probability are the study of information about the world by collecting data and using the information to answer questions and make judgments based on experience. Manipulatives should be used to help students collect and represent data. The activities suggested in this book should, with regular practise over time, allow students to develop stronger data and probability skills. 

Main Objectives:

• Chance and probability
• Data collection and management
• Measurement of central tendency 

Worksheet Topics:

1. Cool Cuisenaire Rods
2. Probability Practice
3. Dice Tally
4. Double Probability
5. Predicting with Data
6. Temperature Data
7. Forward or Stop
8. Probability Picks
9. Spinning Probabilities
10. Rolling for Outcomes 

Algebra

Algebra is the study of the relationships between quantities, the use of symbols and the study of change. Manipulatives should be used to help students focus on looking for and making mathematical observations and resulting predictions with words, symbols and math sentences. The activities suggested in this book should, with regular practice over time, allow students to develop stronger algebra skills. 

Main Objectives:

• Patterns and variables
• Graphical representation 

Worksheet Topics:

1. Graphing a Line Plot
2. Growth Patterns
3. Munching Numbers
4. Algebra
5. Comparing Graphs
6. Perfect Problem Solvers
7. Stem and Leaf Plots
8. Fun with Polygons
9. Slide and Switch
10. Pattern Blocks

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