It is clear from research that students who use manipulatives to learn math have a deeper and broader understanding of how to apply their learning to new situations. Math competency is essential in our technological world. By incorporating hands-on learning into math lessons—both guided and open-ended—educators can help students develop conceptual understanding of essential math principles.

Whether you’re teaching remotely, hybrid, or in-person, representations should be an integral component of your mathematics lessons. There are a variety of representations which your students should regularly experience as they engage in the mathematics they are learning. Read the full article to learn more. 

Like so many other districts around the country, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has faced some challenging circumstances this school year! The administration was struggling to keep students engaged in the fall and faced a lack of essential, hands-on learning supplies for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to grade 6 teachers and students in areas with at-risk populations. hand2mind quickly responded with a customized assortment of learning tools. Learn more.

Jose Gonzalez, 21st-century learning specialist and Verizon Innovative Learning Schools coach at a California middle school, led students in a remote, project-based lesson that focused on Mars. The project included real-world events and engaged students via online and hands-on learning, Gonzalez writes in this blog post.

Washington, D.C., chemistry teacher Jonte Lee knew online students weren't likely to have high-school lab equipment at home, so he changed up his lesson plans to use common kitchen tools. Interactivity and accessibility are the hallmarks of the classes for Lee, known online as The Kitchen Chemist, who livestreams the lessons on Facebook and Instagram.

A Michigan school district offers a streamlined version of its industrial arts program for students in another school district. The program offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on instruction in woodworking, welding, architecture and computer-aided design.

Utah math teachers Debra Delliskave, Brandon Cornaby and Robert Violano join language arts teachers to help students during the three-day-a-week, drop-in after-school program that begins with math intervention, math extension and homework help, followed by fun activities that change each quarter. Students and teachers get to know one another better and build a positive community, the teachers say.

High-school students in New York state made free kits for middle-school students to build sleds. The effort, part of the DIDI-WNY program, is aimed at introducing students to STEM-focused careers.

At hand2mind, we believe children learn best by doing. For over 50 years, teachers and school administrators at thousands of schools and districts across the country have relied on our high-quality, hands-on materials to expand their core curriculum. Offering resources for math, science, STEM, and literacy, our mission is to support teachers, inspire students, engage parents, and champion learning by doing. For more information, please visit our website or follow the brand on Twitter @hand2mind, Facebook @hand2mindinc, and Instagram @hand2mindinc.