Wonder Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I keep seeing mention of base ten blocks and would like to get some. I already have MUS blocks though. Are they different? I will not be doing MUS math, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arboreal TJ Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 MUS manipulatives are base ten blocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 With base ten blocks, you have flats that are 100 and cubes that are 1000. I had the impression that MUS didn't include those, though I've never used MUS so I don't really know. They are the same scale (1 = 1 cm) as the Cuisenaire rods, so that many of us like to use a set of C-rods alongside a set of the flats and a single or a couple of the cubes (you can purchase them all separately). If MUS doesn't have the flats and cubes, then I'm pretty sure the scale is slightly different, though, again, I'm not 100% sure as it's been awhile since I've seen MUS blocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 MUS has 100 flats, but not the 1000s. They are larger than the C-rods, and each unit is marked on the block. They stack and lock nice, each length is its own color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I like the cm length on C-rods for giving a child (esp in USA where we don't often get this) a feeling for cm lengths. Otherwise I prefer the MUS blocks because the units are clear (countable) on each. You can stack them to make a cube. My C-Rod set didn't come with cubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share Posted April 14, 2013 So would the MUS blocks work for CLE 1st grade math? But then it seems you're saying C-rods would be a helpful addition? Or would the MUS blocks be enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Does CLE call for the c-rods? It might get confusing if they say - using the red rod.... because they aren't the same. Hmmm, ignore my feet - but I just snapped a picture of the c-rods stacked next to the MUS blocks for you! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I use CLE and MUS. the MUS blocks are helpful as CLE does not really use or call for Manipulatives at all. But we use the MUS blocks when needed for CLE because we have them and because my children are trained to use those before asking for help. Any mani helps if one needs to use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share Posted April 16, 2013 Thanks everyone. So it seems like I don't need to get additional blocks for use with CLE since I already have the MUS blocks, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Some of us here are pretty fanatically pro-Cuisenaire Rods. The lack of markings for individual units can help kids see the whole number and get away from counting. Also, it makes them more flexible for concepts like fractions. And the standardized centimeter measure is nice. I don't know CLE, but reasonably, if you have the MUS blocks already, then I would say it's enough to get on with and not to worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.