These colorful doodads are called manipulatives, and they help small groups of students study fractions in a hands-on manner. The exercise makes abstract concepts like math more tangible.

Measurement is a good place to start. The use of fraction strips—manipulatives that provide a visual representation—can help young students measure and compare different items’ lengths.

Teachers often use manipulatives—boxes, shapes, figures and games—which students can handle during in-class activities to explain math and science concepts. A colleague of mine forwarded me a ...

How many are in each pile? You have just entered the magical world of math manipulatives, used throughout the Enid Public Schools system. First introduced to that world, though, are children at ...

The Fraction Spacecraft intervention study’s aim is to compare the effects of virtual and concrete manipulatives in fourth and fifth graders learning of fractions and decimal numbers, as well as the ...

Ball, D.L. (1992). Magical hopes: Manipulatives and the reform of math education. Elementary School Journal, 90, 449–466. Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (2002). Core ...

DANVILLE — You could say Sydni Franklin’s sixth grade math class at Danville Middle School is learning fractions the hard way — well, the hard plastic way.