Kaylee Bouchard

EDU 366
SLO # 4
SLO #4: Promote student knowledge of the systematic organized patterning of our number
system in a way that they can then apply it in work with large and small numbers.
Manipulative #1

Place Value Disks can be bought from http://www.eaieducation.com/Product/520580/QuietShape

%C2%AE_Place_Value_Disks_Ones_to_Thousands_Set_of_160.aspx. This site includes a set of 160
disks for $7.49.
I think that even the absolute least creative person can make these without a problem. To make them,
you can cut uniform circles out of different colored pieces of paper and write '100' on one color, '10' on
another, and '1' on the last. You can either draw a chart on the board, or on a large sheet of chart paper
(would also work great with magnets).
For students who aren't yet ready for numbers in the 100's, you can leave out the 100's circles and
section on the chart and students can focus on categorizing their 10's and 1's instead.
To use them, draw a chart on the white board or on large chart paper at the front of the classroom. Put
tape on several labeled circles and stick them off to one side of the board. Say or write a number and
ask the students to put the appropriate amount of circles into each category to equal that number.
Example: for the number 721, students should put seven of the 100's circles in the hundred's category,
two 10's in the tens category, and one of the 1's circles in the ones category. This can also be done the
opposite way, the teacher can fill the categories with appropriate circles and ask the students to figure
out what number it is. A challenge for this activity would be to include more than ten ones in the ones
category and use one less 10's circle.
Manipulative #2

Digi Blocks can be purchased from www.digiblock.com for varying prices depending on how you
decide to purchase them. You can purchase kits for different grade levels for $489-$498 (starter kit;
which includes: two blocks of 1000, two transparent blocks of 100, a three place counter, a book of
lesson plans, and a book of worksheets) or $710-$846 (classroom kit; which includes: two blocks of
1000, two transparent blocks of 100, a three place counter, a two place counter, six 0-30 number lines,

60 fun digi block train engines, three place value mat with digit cards, and four books of lesson plans,
worksheets, and activities), the prices differ from one grade to another. You can also purchase pieces
individually; a block of 1000 for $240, block of 100 for $30, transparent block of 100 for $35, decimal
blocks for $30, three place counter for $65, two place counter for $20, three place value mat with digit
cards for $15, decimal place value mat for $12, 60 fun digi block train engines for $30, number lines
for $10, and lesson, worksheet, and activity books that range from $36-$48 each.
I don't think that this type of manipulative is one that can be made by any DIYer, at least it's not
anything I would try. I'd say that they are worth the investment!
Digi blocks can be used when working with large or small numbers simply by adding or taking away
the 1000's block.
To use Digi blocks, children make blocks of ten with the ones blocks and snap on the cover. Children
can keep creating ten blocks until they can fill a 100's block. Children will be able to understand
numbers by how they are packed into the blocks as well as how they are singularly.
Manipulative #3

Base Ten Bingo can be downloaded from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Base-TenBINGO-463268 for $3 or you can easily make your own version for free! To make this game, create
many different game boards that include base ten blocks for different numbers. To call the numbers, the
teacher can either show cards of the numbers the students have, but with different combinations
(students have two 10 blocks and six 1's blocks, but the teacher shows them a card with one 10's block
and sixteen 1's blocks) or the teacher can say numbers and the students will cover their cards as they
hear a number that they have made in base ten blocks on their card.
Children can play this game online at http://www.abcya.com/base_ten_bingo.htm where they can
choose what combination of place values they want to work with; ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, or
all units.
Children play the game just like normal bingo and shout BINGO when they have made a row.
The game can be altered for different grade levels by including or not including the higher base ten
blocks.

Manipulative #4

I'm not sure that these can be purchased already made or not, everywhere I looked, they were made by
the blogger. It shouldn't be more than about $6 to make, considering noodles are fairly cheap.
You will need 5 pool noodles of one color, 1 pool noodle of another color, and a tape measure.
Carefully cut the five large pool noodles down to 20 inches each. Cut the 1 noodle of another color into
2 inch rounds. You only need 10 pieces, but you can make more if desired.
The noodles can really only be used for smaller numbers unless you glue 10 of the 10's pieces together
to form a 100's block.
Students can make numbers using the longer noodles as 10s and the small pieces as 1's. Example: the
number 43 would be four 10's noodles and three 1's noodles.
Manipulative #5

The only thing you'd need to purchase for this activity, if you didn't want it to be a permanent piece like
the one pictured, is base ten blocks. You can get a set of base ten blocks at walmart.com for $25.99.
These can be made by printing off base ten blocks from online and cutting them out for the students to
use to make the first letter of their names. You could give them a handout that says, The first letter of
_______'s name is worth.... ____ tens and ____ ones. This is the number ____. Or, you could have the
students write that on their own.
The option to use larger numbers isn't really available with this activity unless you have the students
write their entire first name with base ten blocks instead of just their first initial.