A Magnificent Math Manipulative

    

     Six years ago when we started homeschooling I decided to go with Singapore math.  I did this because I read or heard somewhere that worldwide, kids who use this math score highest on testing.  I'm not really into test scores, but it sounded good to me.  Singapore has been a challenge...in a good way.  One of the items that was recommended to be purchased with the math curriculum were the gram/centimeter cubes.  I love hands-on anything, so I purchased them.  I had no idea they would be so well used.  There are uses for them K-6!  The versatility of these little fellas is seemingly endless!

My kids love the colors and how there are several possibilities of how they link together.
Never a complaint when it's time to do math with these!  It really helps them (and me) to SEE the math...not
just numbers on a page.  These cubes are used as an introduction to lots of lessons.  After my kids "get" the concept,
we just move along to numbers and paper. 

I found this picture in our archives...back when my oldest was
finishing up 3rd grade.  I remember this fun assignment: He was
to see how many different combinations he could make with 5 cubes. 
Geometry and critical thinking skills all in one.  :)

Check out these other great posts on math:


http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/math-lapbooksvirtual-curriculum-fair-week-2/

http://courtneysix.blogspot.com/2012/01/virtual-curriculum-fair-week-two.html

http://www.gchomeschool.com/2012/01/our-choices-for-math.html

http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/01/our-math-choicesvirtual-curriculum-fair.html

http://debbiesdigest.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-using-hamburger-paper.html

http://crunchycountrycatholic.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-literature.html

http://www.modest-mama.org/2012/01/learning-math-at-my-house.html

http://homeschoolheartandmind.blogspot.com/2012/01/1st-2nd-6th-grade-math-in-our.html

http://oramblings.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-facts-or-fun-why-not-both.html

http://ladybug-chronicles.blogspot.com/2012/01/heart-of-dakota-fine-details-part-2.html

http://daybydayinourworld.com/2012/01/learning-math-block-by-block/

http://www.fencedinfamily.com/blog/2012/01/plugging-along-with-math/

http://montessoritidbits.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-working-and-whats-not-math.html

http://www.for-one-another.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-anyone.html

http://schoolinginthesun.blogspot.com/2012/01/ahhh-math.html

http://everydaysnapshots.blogspot.com/2012/01/flying-without-parachute-math-with-no.html

http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-in-our-homeschool.html

http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-math-and-more-math.html

http://sunrisetosunsethomeschool.com/2012/01/09/thinking-mathematically-how-i-choose-math-curriculum/

http://christadarr.blogspot.com/2012/01/discovering-patterns-math-logic-and.html

http://myhomeschoolgarden.com/2012/01/09/the-science-of-math/

http://learning-adventures.blogspot.com/2012/01/mom-did-we-do-math-today.html

http://homeschoolingforhisglory.blogspot.com/2012/01/math-math-and-more-math.html