Multiplying fractions is difficult to make hands-on. Many teachers simply don’t know how to use manipulatives to teach fraction multiplication in 4th and 5th grade! Using pattern blocks is a simple way to make it hands-on and make sure students develop conceptual understanding of fraction multiplication.

If students end up not being able to share supplies, creating math toolkits for each student will be essential! Giving students access to both their own set of math manipulatives and math tools will be really helpful in keeping the learning hands-on for students.

Just because working with physical manipulatives may be my preference for students, doesn’t mean that virtual manipulatives can’t play an important role in our classrooms too!

It’s no secret that students learn best when they have the ability to play with math. Manipulatives give students the opportunity to explore how numbers work and develop deep conceptual understanding of important math concepts.