As an educator dedicated to supporting students with math difficulties, I find that hands-on learning tools and math manipulatives can make all the difference in driving progress. That’s why I have a math intervention tool kit that contains essential items, ready to use for individual or group lessons or RTI math programs. I wholeheartedly recommend considering a math manipulatives kit of your own. In this blog post, I will share a selection of key items that can enhance your math interventions.
I place all of the items in one container/storage box with a either a colored lid or labelled. I usually place an inventory of items at the bottom of the box or taped to the inside.
As an added bonus, I’ve included a link to a FREE math intervention plan template and a math intervention review template. You’ll find both an editable Google option as well as a printable version. Simply CLICK THIS LINK or on the image below to access these valuable resources.
Teaching Tip
Empower each student by letting them choose the math manipulatives that work best for them. Encourage them to explore a variety of options and reflect on how different items helped them make connections. This enables students to personalize their learning experiences, build self-confidence and make improved connections in math.
Place Value and Number Sense
A solid foundation in place value is essential for supporting students who struggle with math. That’s why my toolkit includes a wide range of place value items. You can use these resources to help students develop number sense, understand the relationship between numbers and perform accurate calculations.
- Playing cards
- Wipe clean 100 squares (blank and complete)
- Base 10 blocks and link cubes
- Arrow Cards
- Place value counters (whole numbers and decimals)
- Bead strings
- Wipeable place value slides
- Laminated number lines
- Wipeable place value charts
- Place value flip charts
- Operation cards/tiles with each of the four operation symbols.
Fractions
I always introduce fraction concepts with manipulatives but also like a set ready for interventions. There are many fraction manipulatives available to educators but the two that I feel are particularly useful for fractions, decimals and percentages are magnetic circles, a magnetic percentage bar and fraction, decimal and percentage cube towers.
Measures
I often find that time is the concept I re-teach and provide interventions for within the measures topic area. In upper elementary one of the most useful math interventions resources I have in my kit is the 24 hour magnetic time line with start and finish arrows. I also find students react well to a linear image of time to help with understanding.
- Rulers (both standard and metric)
- Measuring tape
- Digital scales
- Thermometer
- 24 hour and 12 hour timelines or number lines for elapsed time
- Teaching clocks (clocks with moveable hands)
- Sand timers
Geometry:
- Pattern blocks
- Tangrams
- Geometric solids (such as cubes, cylinders, and cones)
- Mirrors for exploring symmetry
- Protractor
- Compass
- Tracing Paper
- Geoboards and elastic bands
- Grid paper
Money and Financial Literacy:
- Coins and notes
- Price tags (pre-written and blank)
General Items
Finally, here are some more general must-haves for your tool kit:
- Anchor charts
- Vocabulary Word Mats
- Blank wipeable dice
- Square paper or notebooks
- Spiral notebooks to make post-intervention notes.
- Rewards! I use progress certificates or stickers (for younger students)
- Large button calculator – I’ve found these really help students make fewer errors and are incredibly helpful for those who have visual impairments, dyscalculia or ADHD.
- Spinner
- Small Whiteboards and dry erase pens
I hope you find this list helps give you some ideas for creating your own math manipulatives kit. I’d love to hear what other items you might suggest! Remember to check out my store for pre-made resources that can assist you in your teaching.
