Base Ten Blocks

Base ten blocks are a classic math manipulative for a reason. They help students understand regrouping and trading as they work with larger and larger numbers. Students start to see the logic behind each operation with base ten blocks. 

I recommend that base ten blocks become the primary math manipulative for place value in third grade. Students are starting to use three-digit numbers, and base ten blocks offer visual differentiation that other third grade math manipulatives simply cannot.  

• Link to Blocks

• Virtual Base Ten Tool

Fraction Tiles of Cubes

Every third grade teacher I talk to says the same thing. When it is time for the fractions unit, many students meet their match.  They understand the concept of a half or a quarter. But as students go deeper into the concept of fractions and how they relate to each other, they often need more support.

Repeated, visual and hands-on practice is a must. That is where fraction tiles and circles are amazing! They go beyond pictorial visuals. Students can literally piece together a whole!

• Link to Fraction Tiles

• Link to Fraction Cubes

• Link to Fraction Circles

• Virtual Fraction Tiles Tool

• Virtual Fraction Circles Tool

Analog Clock 

Teaching about time is essential to the third grade math curricula, yet many students' only exposure to telling time in on a digital smart device.

Student need something that can help them see the connection between minutes and hours.  With an analog clock, students can visually see the connection of minutes passing to hours passing.  

Clocks are the best third grade math manipulative that can actually help students develop a strong, concrete understanding of elapsed time. 

• Link to Clock

• Virtual Interactive Clock 

Colored Tiles

Color tiles are a gift to 3rd grade math learners and definitely one of the best math manipulatives out there. 

I use color tiles for several major concepts: arrays, multiplication, division, measurement as well as area and perimeter. They were my go-to! Their shape and size are ideal for building squares and rectangles on the floor or on desks. Students can see that 3 rows of 3 tiles is a total of 9 tiles.

Color tiles are also an excellent third grade math manipulative for learning about measurement. Since they are 1 inch by 1 inch, they are easily used to measure anything using a standard measurement system.  

• Link to Colored Tiles

• Virtual Colored Tiles