Today’s pick of a digital treasure comes from Utah State University.  My own personal experiences and memories using cuisenaire rods in while in elementary school and watching our math teachers skillfully use a wide variety of manipulatives in the classroom over the past 14 years convince me that approach of teaching abstract concepts using concrete tools is an effective one.

But how many of our families today have access to these tools at home? I know that my parents had some in our house, but I remember that as being the exception to the norm. The National Library of Virtual  Manipulatives has created a web site that provides access to a wide range of online tools and manipulatives which can be used to suppliment mathematics instruction.

The creators of this site have put together sets of online resources based upon grade level and mathematical concept. When you click in one of the areas, you are presented with a list of different activities which you can use online. These different puzzles and activities help explain math concepts from borrowing and carrying to sequencing of numbers.

A bonus with this site is that you can choose to view the site in English, Spanish, or French.