4Real Forums: Manipulatives for algebra?

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Living and Loving Numbers
4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers

Topic: Manipulatives for algebra?

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Angel
Forum All-Star

Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293

Posted: Jan 25 2010 at 11:52am \| IP Logged

Does anyone have any experience using manipulatives for algebra? I'm trying to figure out two things: how to finish out our school year since my ds should finish the Life of Fred pre-algebra sequence in March, and whether or not the manipulatives would make algebra easier to understand.

These are the manipulatives I'm looking at:

Borenson's Hands-On Equations
Algeblocks
Algebra Tiles

Montessori has the algebraic pegboard, but it looks like unless you make it yourself you're paying Nienhuis prices, which -- ouch.

__________________
Angela
Mom to 9, 7 boys and 2 girls
Three Plus Two

jenncatan
Forum Newbie

Joined: Sept 23 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31

Posted: Jan 26 2010 at 10:49am \| IP Logged

We use the hands-on-equations program and we like it.

amyable
Forum All-Star

Joined: March 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3798

Posted: Jan 26 2010 at 11:34am \| IP Logged

Have you seen this?

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - Algebra page

FWIW, we have hands on equations and like it also, but it is by no means exhaustive in it's algebra teaching. Basically it seems to be covering x and -x, and how to apply that to "cool" problems such as "Two trains were leaving opposite coasts at the same time..."

ETA: Hands-On-Equations is much like the "Algebra Balance Scales" on the link I posted above. Of course H.O.E. has instruction on how to use it to teach, which I'm not seeing much of at the NLVM site.

__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of

The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler

Angel
Forum All-Star

Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293

Posted: Jan 26 2010 at 12:23pm \| IP Logged

That site is pretty cool, Amy.

I hadn't seen it before. But you're right; some of the activities are a little difficult for me to figure out... possibly because it's been a while since I've had algebra. Still, that may be all we need. He's more of a visual learner than a kinesthetic one.

__________________
Angela
Mom to 9, 7 boys and 2 girls
Three Plus Two

MarieA
Forum Pro

Joined: Aug 27 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 336

Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 5:31pm \| IP Logged

We have used Hands-On Equations over the years and liked it! I also used it in my classroom when I taught in an elementary school years ago. We loved using it there, too!

Marie

__________________
Mom to ds(93) and dd(95)

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com