momsuz123 Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Hi, I am going to order Math In Focus (singapore) in a few minutes; there is also a huge manipulative set too, for $140. Do you recommend this too? Thanks, Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoife Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have manipulatives coming gout of my ears :lol: we love them here and they really do add a lot of fun and understanding to math :D if 140 seems high to you though shop around and piece your own kit together if you find there would be significant savings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Can you check which manipulatives are absolute essentials for MiF? My dd does Singapore maths in school and afaik, not a single manipulative is essential. I suggest you try to make some manipulatives at home if possible, or buy generic ones from Learning Resources - they usually have adequate subsitutes. Or look at the McRuffy math manipulatives starter set. It is very affordable and has the essentials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsuz123 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thanks for the advice. When I view the MIF book on RR, it doesn't really show what is in the bulk of the book, so I don't know how much I need the manipulatives. I am thinking that they might make it a lot of more fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Blue House Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 We use Math Mammoth here and the manipulatives that have consistently come in handy are counters (we have bears), base ten blocks and a clock. We also use Miquon so cuisenaire rods are a must...but that is specific to Miquon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krismoose Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Thanks for the advice. When I view the MIF book on RR, it doesn't really show what is in the bulk of the book, so I don't know how much I need the manipulatives. I am thinking that they might make it a lot of more fun though. If you go to this site and register for the virtual sample on the left side, you can view the entire book online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I've seen Math in Focus, though not used it... and I don't remember it needing lots of manipulatives. That seems like a really steep price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 That sounds extraordinarily expensive for one child (might make sense in a classroom setting). You can substitute a lot of stuff from around the home or make it cheaply, in my experience. I have too many math manipulatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 $140 is too much. Look at the sets on rainbow resource. I'd start with just a grade-level kit instead of a kit that covers k-5. Each of the lessons starts with a demonstrtion on manipulatives. They will make the lesson more interesting and concrete for a young child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I own some manipulatives, but I would never spend that much money on any! It is easy to make cuisenaire rods work for most concepts. (I recommend the 1s, 10s, 100s, and then set of colored non-marked rods.) I did end up buying fraction tiles for one of my kids that really needed the visual representation and rods weren't working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have the manipulatives from RS A (I sold the TM and such, but kept the manipulatives). So far, I haven't really used them much. I have base 10 blocks, and I used them once to explain the concept about adding/subtracting across a 10, making a 10 (as Singapore and such teach). I have C-rods, which I actually find more useful, and I think I used them for some division explanation recently, IIRC, plus I use those for my 4 year old. If I were to do it again, I'd get base 10 blocks and C-rods. And if nothing else, my kids enjoy building hotels and such out of the base 10 blocks. :lol: Rainbow Resource has manipulatives for pretty cheap. They even have the RS abacus for $10 (RS sells it for $20 - same exact abacus, says "AL" on it). I only use manipulatives if my kids need them. My oldest is an abstract thinker when it comes to math, so he rarely needs manipulatives. I sometimes use them with my 4 year old just because of his age. I can't tell yet if he'll need them once we get to first grade work and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yeah that is pretty much what ours get used for. I bought the cubes from Singapore and have only recently put them to use. Otherwise my kids build rockets out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I've got Math in Focus 1B. The book uses base 10 blocks (not probably necessary but would be nice--rainbow resources has a nice and inexpensive set), a balance scale (imo not necessary at all--the book has pictures), and something to count with (beans, regular blocks, beads, etc. all work for that, no purchase necessary). A time teaching clock with movable hands might be nice for time though they show the child how to make one instead of suggesting a purchased one.I don't see a need for an expensive manipulative set at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 You can also make your own balance pretty easily. I bought one and it was great ... for like a week. I should have just made one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristinannie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have to admit that we have (and use) a lot of math manipulatives in our house. I would spend the money at RR buying the manipulatives you really want. Our favorites are c-rods, tangrams, interlocking cubes, 100's boards, counters, geoboards and base ten blocks. The biggest bust were the attribute blocks. We have a Critical Thinking Press book that uses them, but I really don't see the point of them and we usually skip those pages! I agree with PP that the manipulative set to McRuffy math is great. It will at least let your DC use some and see what he or she likes before you buy a big set. We use McRuffy Math K and love it because it uses so many manipulatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsuz123 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 You all are so amazing! So glad I bought "the well trained mind book" to find this site!! I do have a great teaching clock and did buy some of the base ten blocks, etc. Whew! I was set to go buy everything. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 All I have for manipulatives is unifix cubes and a clock I made out of cardboard and they have managed to get me to third grade math so far. We use Singapore. If you have a lot of manipulatives you have to store them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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