Concrete to Abstract: A Math Manipulatives Initiative
Help me give my students a chance to master mathematics using their senses- these math manipulatives allow students to see, touch, and understand abstract concepts more clearly.
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
Please help me to provide a classroom rich in hands-on learning. My fifth graders all have different learning styles and ways that they learn best. I find that most students are able to make sense of math when they have manipulatives and other materials available for them to visualize and apply concepts. I work in a Title 1 one school and really want to give students a great start before they head off to middle school next year. Here are just a few reasons why your donations will help enhance our classroom.
Your donations will help me:
1. Bridge Between Concrete and Abstract
Fifth graders are moving into more abstract math—fractions, decimals, volume, and expressions. Manipulatives (like fraction bars, base-ten blocks, or algebra tiles) help them visualize and make sense of these tougher ideas.
2. Support All Learners
Hands-on tools give struggling learners or English language learners the chance to grasp math in a visual, kinesthetic way—not just through numbers or language.
3. Encourage Deeper Understanding
Manipulatives promote exploration and discovery. Students can try multiple strategies, correct errors visually, and build conceptual understanding rather than memorizing steps.
4. Increase Engagement
Learning becomes more interactive and fun. When students use tools to “play” with math, they’re more invested and motivated to learn.
5. Prepare for Middle School Success
By mastering foundational concepts with manipulatives now, students gain confidence and readiness for the more symbolic math they’ll encounter in grades 6 and beyond.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Aizweb Interlocking Fraction Cubes Activity Set - Math Manipulatives for Elementary School, Equivalent Fraction Manipulatives, Percents Cubes, Decimals Cubes, Homeschool Supplies
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Torlam 131 PCS Base Ten Blocks for Math - Place Value Blocks, Plastic Base 10 Math Manipulatives 1st Grade, Math Counters, Math Cubes, Counting Cubes for Kids Kindergarten Math
• Amazon Business
$23.99
1
$23.99
Simply magic 131 PCS Jumbo Magnetic Base Ten Blocks for Math, Place Value Blocks, Magnetic Base 10 Blocks Set for Teachers, Math Blocks for Counting, Counting Blocks, Magnetic Math Manipulatives K-3
• Amazon Business
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Simioli and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/concrete-to-abstract-a-math-manipulativ/9402116/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":30,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Simioli","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"2093949605","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Menifee","teachersOnPage":[8344917],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9402116,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":1,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":58927,"schoolName":"Callie Kirkpatrick Elementary School","authorIds":{"8344917":{"owner":"Mrs. Simioli","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9402116],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8344917_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651113981380","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":21901733,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":215,"proposalURL":"project/bringing-color-to-creativity/9769752/","proposalTitle":"Bringing Color to Creativity","proposalId":9769752},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":8344917,"schoolCounty":"Riverside","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}
