Online Courses for Teachers

Math Manipulatives in the Primary Classroom

(Grades K-2) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 35T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41675

Course Description

Do you want to use manipulatives to help your students understand math concepts more concretely? This online course for teachers is designed for educators in grades K-2 who want to learn how to incorporate manipulatives into their everyday teaching in order to guide their students to become critical and logical mathematical thinkers. The course begins by discussing math standards and the role of manipulatives in problem solving. A plethora of suggestions for how to incorporate specific manipulatives into your math instruction in order to improve the way students approach complex mathematical topics are provided. Specific manipulatives discussed in the course include linking cubes, color tiles and counters, pattern blocks, number lines, base ten blocks, place value chips, and hundreds charts to build basic math foundation skills. Ways to introduce play money and clocks are also included. Strategies and activities for using attribute blocks, Cuisenaire rods, rekenreks for addition and subtraction skills, tangrams, and geoboards as an introduction to geometry are shared. Additionally, an overview of how to create a math workshop using hands-on manipulatives is also included. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will have a solid understanding, as well as the tools they need, to use math manipulatives to strengthen their students’ math skills. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Kimya Nabavi, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.

"LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this course!!! I can't wait to get into my building and start downloading the resources and begin organizing the materials." - Mervin Mateo