Unit Counters - Math Manipulatives

thingiverse

This project empowers students to develop problem-solving strategies while handling tangible objects. These unit counters are designed to be large enough for small hands to grip securely and not easily drop, and they feature a conversion factor on the back to subtly support dimensional analysis years later. Using these unit counters can help young students as they work on a math project. These counters will pop up with a document projector and can be useful for differentiating instruction for students who are struggling with a specific topic. Print Settings Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator (5th Generation) Rafts: Yes Supports: No Notes: These counters are large, but print well down to about 60%. Smaller than that and the conversions on the bottom side of the counter become difficult to read. I recommend using different colors for volume vs. weight vs. distance measures to help your students begin to make associations and group the vocabulary. How I Designed This I created these unit counters in OnShape. I included a blank counter that you can use with TinkerCAD to add your own units if you choose. You can also modify the files directly in OnShape if you access the project here. Standards CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.2 Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem. CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.3 Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1). CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.4 For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record the answer with a drawing or equation. CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.D.7 Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or false. CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.D.8 Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. Overview and Background Young learners first understand math concepts on a concrete level (counting on their fingers). They can’t transition to visual and abstract without first being comfortable with concrete applications. Units of measure are often difficult for children, as they don’t yet have perspective on those units. To help them break down word problems and build that concrete relationship with dimensional units, these counters can be used so that a student can actually hold a “Mile” in their hand. Assisting students to turn unfamiliar units into concrete tokens, teachers can scaffold students into handling word problems and algebraic operations independently. Objectives: After using unit counters to model mathematical relationships and understand operations, students will demonstrate increased ability to decode and solve word problems in mathematics. Lesson Plan and Activity To provide a consistent example for students, the counters should be used routinely when dealing with relevant problems. When enough students have mastered the standards, they can be used as reinforcement or for differentiation. Counters can be used to support addition and subtraction, but also in developing strategies for making math problems easier and for grouping objects into sets (laying the groundwork for conversions later). This PDF book has a great deal of resources for developing lesson plans and teaching early numeracy and mathematics skills. Rubric and Assessment Summatively, students can be assessed on their ability to count, add, and subtract. Formatively, they can also be scored on their ability to recognize similarities and differences in groupings of unit counters and recognizing that different combinations of counters can add up to the same number (1+5=6 is the same as 2+4). To learn more about this project, visit my website at [website URL].