Tens Rods (as I call them) and Ones Cubes can be a hot commodity. I know how we beg and borrow for more of these tools. One way to help the situation is to make them yourself. I know...who has the time for something like this...but let me tell you, this is one of the easiest DIY projects I will ever post. I would still have your district buy the
'real' ones but these are good for extra groups and just to have some extra on hand.
Supplies:
thin, plain sponges (I got mine from the dollar store (3 in a package for $1.00)
scissors
pen
ruler
(whew, that was a lot :)
1) Tens Rods and Ones Cubes measure about 1 cm in width; so I just take a ruler and mark small nicks 1 cm apart on the sponge
2) Then cut and that's it.
It doesn't come out perfect, but the kids still understand that 10 ones cubes equal 1 ten rod. It gives them a 3D tool that is cheap, cheap, cheap!
Have fun! If you would like more DIY Projects, check out my pinterest board:
DIY Teacher
That's a cool idea! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers
Thank you! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteKim Sutton uses something similar - okay, it's not 3-D, but you *can* use it on your overhead projector if you work in a school like mine with limited technology resources. If you have a Jo-Ann's or a Hobby Lobby (or similar craft store) nearby, odds are they have plastic canvas (for needle-point crafts). You just cut the squares out into tens, ones, or even hundreds - instant base 10 manipulatives!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I love DIY projects. Colored sponges will be even cuter. Oh and I just got a thought, cut out tens strips in two different colors to make hundred blocks and the alternating colors could also be used for skip counting. This will be one DIY I will do for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle
This is SO cool! Thank you :D
ReplyDeleteJust passing it along :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteApril