Teach math expectations and math center management with these exploring math manipulatives centers. These kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade activities are designed to help your students practice and learn math routines!

Take the time to let students explore, create, and practice using math manipulatives to help them become independent during math stations.

These open-ended math manipulative exploration centers will teach students how all of these different manipulatives can be used in math!

There's no “right or wrong” way to explore these manipulatives, however, you can use the "TOOLS vs TOYS" activities to help students learn the difference! Use these centers to let students practice how to work in math centers while the teacher is working with a small group.

In this resource you will find:

• Quick Start Teacher Guide: A guide to help you learn how to begin math centers in your classroom
• Tools or Toys: introductory sorting activity/center to use with whole group or small group
• I Have, Who Has?: Activity to find all 14 math manipulatives
• Manipulatives Matching Game: Small group game to match picture of each manipulative & its name
• 14 Manipulative Exploration Centers (see list below):
  • “Try This” page for each manipulative
  • 2 generic recording sheet options
  • Manipulative specific recording sheets, 2 versions for each manipulative
• Math Mats: Optional mats (ex: number bonds, part part whole, number lines, patterns, etc.) to print and add to any of the manipulative centers

14 Math Manipulatives Included for Exploration:

1. Counting Cubes
2. Base Ten Blocks
3. Pattern Blocks
4. Rulers
5. 3D Shapes
6. Geoboards
7. Counters
8. Square Tiles
9. Rekenreks
10. Animal Counters
11. Linking Chains
12. Clocks
13. Coins
14. Dominoes

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