math manipulatives?

[LAmamaof3]

I plan on ordering Math-U-See, but their manipulatives seem a bit pricey. Do I have to order those, or will the cheaper ones like the ones on Rainbow Resource work just fine?

signed,

lost first timer

[sloan127]

I got the ones from Math U See but I don't see why a different version wouldn't work.

[MonkeyMamma]

I have the ones from MUS. I guess anything would work. I bought one set for two girls so I think I am getting my moneys worth. My oldest doesn't use the blocks anymore and my little one just loves them.

[LAmamaof3]

My kids are 2, 4, and 6 so they'll get plenty of use! If the cheaper ones are pretty much the same then I'll just get those.

[MonkeyMamma]

My youngest is half way through MUS Primer and the blocks are very useful. I suppose the only probelm you may have with a set not from MUS is that they won't match what is on the lesson page. That would really be the only problem I see. Also think of it this way - you can use the blocks for all three of you children for several years. I know the blocks are used from Primer - Delta I think. And that is what 5 years?

[LAmamaof3]

I suppose the only probelm you may have with a set not from MUS is that they won't match what is on the lesson page. That would really be the only problem I see.

Ah, didn't even think of that! Thanks!

[dalynnrmc]

Yeah, they wouldn't match what was on the page, but you could change the wording if you want. If you choose to get a different set, look at Cuisennaire Rods. As far as I know, those are the only ones that have all of the different lengths.

To me, the main difference is that the MUS rods have notches on them so that the child can see the individual units. On the Cuisennaire Rods, it's just a length of block without showing the unit divisions.

I was going to get the Cuisennaires for price's sake, but then I found a really good deal on the blocks! And, actually, they are used ALL THE WAY through the levels, even pre-algebra uses them (with attachments to show "x").

There's a yahoogroup for buying and selling used MUS products; check there before buying new!

[crazymama]

I used graph paper and different colored markers to make "base 10 blocks". They don't connect together, but they still serve the purpose. We didn't use MUS, but manipulatives come in handy for any math. If you google printable math manipulatives you will find lots of them.. there are also several places that have virtual manipulatives

[TeacherMom]

okay after looking at the promo my kids ran off to boys room sorted the legos and said, "Look Mom we can use the legos as the (manipulatives) for MUS!"

so thats what we will probably use... I do have some magnetic ones someplace if I have not tossed them yet..

[crazymama]

yep we use legos as manipulatives too :) We have to do everything on the cheap.. so we get very creative! Pasta works well, and is very fun if you color it first.. the letter pasta is fun for all kinds of things too (sorting, letter recogintion, spelling).. sorry, getting off topic...gonna start a new thread!

[Emma's#1fan]

We used some of MUS and we used the manipulatives from BJ and had no problems. The colors are different. This is all. BJ's manipulatives are thick, paper, cut outs but they are in singles, tens, and so on. When we were working on fractions, they came in handy.

[Actressdancer]

The other issue may be size, since MUS comes with a large diagram for the "houses". The blocks fit in exactly. I didn't notice how old your children are, but having the blocks fit the "house" really helps my 1st grader.

Then again, you could always copy the diagram yourself using the exact measurements for the blocks you use.

ETA: You could also check Ebay to get a set used.

[Birbitt]

We use MUS and we bought our manipulatives from a local public school throw away store, and they are the same size and color they just don't snap together and they worked great. I think the most important thing is that the manipulatives are the same color as the MUS bocks but other than that it's fine.

[sgilli3]

I plan on ordering Math-U-See, but their manipulatives seem a bit pricey. Do I have to order those, or will the cheaper ones like the ones on Rainbow Resource work just fine?

signed,

lost first timer

We use the MUS manipulatives and have found them to be great...it matches what the workbook suggests, fits the house to be used, plus I couldnt have helped the kids as much if I didnt have the other manipulatives such as fraction overlays, and decimal blocks.Worth it !!!

[dawninns]

I think the blocks are worth it. Not only do they match the workbooks but the videos as well. And the fact that they snap together makes all the difference over the cuisenaire rods.

[Autumnleavz]

Check ThisLittlePiggyStaysHome.com....you might can find a cheap set there as well.
We used MUS last year and it didn't work for us (not saying it wont for you...i've known of many that it has worked for) but you could just make strips of construction paper if you wanted. I used their set for our math but with both kids we didn't have enough hundreds blocks at one times, so I made extra out of construction paper. That would probably work for you if you wanted.

Also, a hint...I got crayons out that matched the blocks and kept them tied with a rubber band in our shoe box with manipulatives because they have to color in the blocks in the workbooks. It made it loads faster during work time, not having to hunt the right crayon color. ;D

[Actressdancer]

Also, a hint...I got crayons out that matched the blocks and kept them tied with a rubber band in our shoe box with manipulatives because they have to color in the blocks in the workbooks. It made it loads faster during work time, not having to hunt the right crayon color. ;D

Great idea! I'll have to do that.