Manipulatives make learning easier and more relevant to students. They allow exploration and play in learning. Online activities can never replace true “hands-on” learning, but they can be a great addition to your math resources. Virtual manipulatives are a great way to have students share what they learn, explore different ways to do activities, and understand simple or complex concepts. There are many sites out there, but I really like the Mathigon Polypad site. It is free and has a lot to offer both lower and upper elementary students. Check it out!
Explore Polypad:
- Head over to mathigon.org/polypad.
- Change the canvas to match your needs. Just click the Canvas icon on the bottom left then choose the design you want.
- Choose what manipulatives to explore. You just click on the shape/tool you want or drag it to the canvas. You can rotate it as well.
- Polygons
- Number Block (Base 10)
- Number Bars (Parts of a Whole Tiles)
- Fraction Bars
- Algebra Tiles
- Pentominoes
- Tangram
- Share your creation!
- Click the “Share” icon to share what you made. This is not a live link (any changes you make after sharing are not visible to others) nor is it collaborative. It just gives others a link to your creation at the moment of sharing.
- Download your creation! Click the “download” icon and save your canvas.
- Explore “Activities”
- There are 12 different activities (most for upper elementary and higher) to explore.
- Explore “Courses”.
- These are designed for middle school and up.
Let your students explore, learn, and play!
If you want these directions in a document click HERE!