Base ten blocks: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Dienes blocks used by a 8 year-old student.png|thumb|Dienes blocks in use]] |
[[File:Dienes blocks used by a 8 year-old student.png|thumb|Dienes blocks in use]] |
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'''Base ten blocks''', also known as '''multibase arithmetic blocks''' ('''MAB''') or '''Dienes blocks''' (after their creator, mathematician and educationalist [[Zoltán Pál Dienes]]), are a [[mathematical manipulative]] used by students to learn basic mathematical concepts including [[addition]], [[subtraction]], [[number sense]], [[place value]] and [[counting]]. The student can manipulate the blocks in different ways to express numbers and patterns. Generally, the three-dimensional blocks are made of a solid material such as plastic or wood and come in four sizes to indicate their individual place value: Units (ones place), Longs (tens place), Flats (hundreds place) and Blocks (thousands place).<ref>Van de Walle, John (2008). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally, p. 191. Pearson Education Inc. USA. {{ISBN|0-205-57352-5}}</ref> There are also computer programs available that simulate base ten blocks. |
'''Base ten blocks''', also known as '''multibase arithmetic blocks''' ('''MAB''') or '''Dienes blocks''' (after their creator, mathematician and educationalist [[Zoltán Pál Dienes]]), are a [[mathematical manipulative]] used by students to learn basic mathematical concepts including [[addition]], [[subtraction]], [[number sense]], [[place value]] and [[counting]]. The student can manipulate the blocks in different ways to express numbers and patterns. Generally, the three-dimensional blocks are made of a solid material such as plastic or wood and come in four sizes to indicate their individual place value: Units (ones place), Longs (tens place), Flats (hundreds place) and Blocks (thousands place).<ref>Van de Walle, John (2008). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally, p. 191. Pearson Education Inc. USA. {{ISBN|0-205-57352-5}}</ref> There are also computer programs available that simulate base ten blocks. |
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Diennes originally made blocks for several number bases (2, 3, etc.), so students could concretely compare different number bases and learn about the [[decimal]] system as one arbitrary choice among many possibilities. Today, base ten blocks are widespread while blocks for other bases are rarely found. |
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==Use in mathematics instruction== |
==Use in mathematics instruction== |
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Revision as of 18:32, 26 April 2024
Base ten blocks, also known as multibase arithmetic blocks (MAB) or Dienes blocks (after their creator, mathematician and educationalist Zoltán Pál Dienes), are a mathematical manipulative used by students to learn basic mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, number sense, place value and counting. The student can manipulate the blocks in different ways to express numbers and patterns. Generally, the three-dimensional blocks are made of a solid material such as plastic or wood and come in four sizes to indicate their individual place value: Units (ones place), Longs (tens place), Flats (hundreds place) and Blocks (thousands place).[1] There are also computer programs available that simulate base ten blocks.
Diennes originally made blocks for several number bases (2, 3, etc.), so students could concretely compare different number bases and learn about the decimal system as one arbitrary choice among many possibilities. Today, base ten blocks are widespread while blocks for other bases are rarely found.
Use in mathematics instruction
Base ten blocks are popular in elementary school mathematics instruction, especially with topics that students struggle with such as multiplication. They are frequently used in the classroom by teachers to model concepts, as well as by students to reinforce their own understanding of said concepts. Physically manipulating objects is an important technique used in learning basic mathematic principles, particularly at the early stages of cognitive development. Studies have shown that their use, like that of most mathematical manipulatives, decreases as students move into higher grades.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Van de Walle, John (2008). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally, p. 191. Pearson Education Inc. USA. ISBN 0-205-57352-5
- ^ Hatfield, Mary M. (1994)."Use of manipulative devices: Elementary school cooperating. " School Science and Mathematics 94.6 (1994): 303–309.
External links
- "Hands-On Base Ten Blocks", Assessment Services, Inc.
- "Base Blocks" - NLVM
- "Exploring Ones, Tens, and Hundreds with Base Ten Blocks - A Lesson for Third Graders" by Maryann Wickett and Marilyn Burns, fall 2005
- "Base 10 Block Teaching Ideas", Susan C. Anthony
- "Progression of Multiplication: Arrays, Area Models & Standard Algorithm", Make Math Moments