MATHS MANIPULATIVES
A look at Cuisenaire Rods and Pattern Blocks
Compiled by Robyn , South Africa
CUISENAIRE RODS
Cuisenaire Rods are rectangular blocks used to
teach arithmetic. As seen right, each
of the 10 rods has a different colour and
length the white rod is 1cm long, the red
2cms, the light green 3cms and so on, up to a
10cm-long orange rod. A basic set
consists of 74 rods (22 white, 12 red, 10 light green, 6 purple and 4
each of yellow,
dark green, black, brown, blue and orange). One set can be used for 2
people.
Buy your Cuisenaire Rods in
Articles on Cuisenaire Rods
Turning the Tide on Times Tables - Cuisenaire rods make maths
come alive - Lila Das Gupta
Cuisenaire
Rods: Space, Colour, and Mathematics by
Carolyn True
Cuisenaire Rods In The Language Classroom - John Mullen
Cuisenaire Rods - A Few
Different Uses
Free Lesson Plans and Activities for Cuisenaire Rods
Cuisenaire Rods for Modeling Mathematical Concepts Introductory Level
Excellent
Free Cuisenaire Games Booklet & Cards to Download
Lessons
for Todays Classroom using Cuisenaire Rods
19 Cuisenaire Activities from NRICH Maths - University of
Cambridge
Cuisenaire Rod Patterns Grade 2 level
Learn Fractions with Cuisenaire Rods Six Lessons
CUISENAIRE
RODS Compiled by Doug Brumbaugh College of Education
Multiplication, Division & Fractions with Cuisenaire
(save and print - this is an excellent 18pg booklet with games & ideas)
Cuisenaire Rod Activities from Math Cats.com (See Make a
Rectangle & Make a Red Train)
Maths Games from Scholastic see How Long? How Many? (Gr35)
Cuisenaire Rod
Math Games, from Paula H
Recommended Books
Cuisenaire Alphabet Book by MARIA MAROLDA (Grades K-4)
Here is a great way to
introduce your child to Cuisenaire Rods. It uses a simple two-page format for
each letter of the alphabet. The left-hand page shows an outline of a letter
with instructions to cover it in different ways, using the rods. Objects whose
names begin with the corresponding letter are on the right-hand side, and these
are also to be covered with rods. There are questions that involve counting,
spatial relationships, addition sentences, early multiplication and problem
solving. Grades K-4. 64 pages.
Picture Puzzles with Cuisenaire Rods By Patricia S. Davidson
and Jeffrey Sellon (ETA Cuisenaire)
This 64-page book offers
worksheet puzzles presented in a simple self-checking crossword puzzle format.
When your child records their answers with rods on the grid pattern, they
create a word, pattern, or picture. Gr 1-6.
Using the Cuisenaire Rods: A Photo/Text Guide for Teachers by Jessica Davidson (Grades 1-8)
Written by a teacher with years of experience using Cuisenaire Rods, this great resource is a comprehensive "how to" book for a wide range of math topics. 150 pages.
Supersource for Cuisenaire Rods Gr K-2
There are three books in this series: K-2, 3-4
and 5-6. These books enhance mathematical thinking and conceptual understanding
rather than particular skills such as addition and subtraction, although some
activities do focus on these skills. Charts at the front of each book show
which concepts or skills are covered in each activity, and they can be done in
any order you choose.
Downloadable Page Samples of lots of Books including all the
Cuisenaire Books
PATTERN BLOCKS
Pattern Blocks consist of six different coloured shapes: green
triangles,
orange squares, blue rhombuses (60-degree angle), tan rhombuses
(30-degree angle), red trapezoids and yellow hexagons.
The blocks have similar angles and lengths so they can fit together
to make larger solid shapes. A full set of 250 Pattern Blocks consists
of 25 yellow
hexagons, 25 orange squares, 50 green equilateral triangles,
50 red trapezoids, 50 tan rhombuses and 50 blue
rhombuses.
Free Lesson Plans and Activities for Pattern
Blocks
Pattern Block Activities on the Web
Pattern
Block Activities By Marilyn Burns
- Scholastic
Ideas for Pattern Block Manipulatives Gr 2-8
Working
with Fractions Using Pattern Blocks
Investigating
Tessellations Using Activity Pattern Blocks
Pattern
Block Relationships and Information about degrees
Pattern
Block Activities from Scholastic
Understanding Fractions Gr 5-8
Kindergarten Math Unit Some involve Pattern Blocks
Recommended Books
Investigating with Pattern Blocks Gr. K-3
This teacher-resource book contains thirty class activities using pattern
blocks. The book is divided into six clusters. The intent of the first cluster,
"Getting to Know You," is to channel children's natural curiosity so
that they can recognize key characteristics of the blocks. In the
"Creative Designs" cluster, children are encouraged to use pattern
blocks as tools to create, analyze, and compare original designs and
communicate about what they have done.
Pattern Blocks Activities by Barbara Bayha Gr K-8
Building with colourful Pattern Blocks is an excellent
way for students to sharpen problem-solving skills and investigate patterns,
numbers, operations, geometry, and measurement. Each page offers a new
challenging activity with clear directions and questions the whole class can
discuss once the shape or design is completed. Includes extension ideas and
activities at three levels of difficulty. Task Cards sold separately.
Exploring With Pattern Blocks by Vincent J. Altamuro
Super Source for Pattern Blocks Gr K-2
THIS PAGE WAS LAST
UPDATED MAY 2007