4Real Forums: Manipulatives for algebra?

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Topic: Manipulatives for algebra?

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Angel
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Joined: April 22 2006
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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.

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

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

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

amyable
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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.

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Amy
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Angel
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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.

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

MarieA
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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

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