Matt Christiansen

Watching my children and students work with manipulatives, I can see how hands-on experiences with math concepts help build a solid foundation for future learning. Often, teachers and students struggle with the transition from concrete manipulatives to a representation of the concept. Web- or app-based “virtual” manipulatives help to make this transition easier, although many teachers struggle to find a place for these tools in the classroom. Hands-on manipulatives are an excellent tool on their own, and they are even more powerful when coupled with virtual manipulatives. To support the use of these virtual tools, Didax has developed more than a dozen free virtual resources, available on our website. If you need some help getting started, read on for some ideas!

As summer break draws to a close across the country, many teachers are using these last few weeks to get their classrooms organized and ready for the start of school. Perhaps you’re changing grades or schools, or just trying something new this year. You might even be sticking with a proven format for your classroom. Whatever your situation, getting ready for school to start is a lot of work!