Base ten blocks
Base ten blocks, also known as Dienes blocks after popularizer Zoltán Pál Dienes (Hungarian: [ˈdijɛnɛʃ]), 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 base 10 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.
Base ten blocks were first described by Catherine Stern in 1949.[2] Dienes popularized the idea starting in 1963, recommending blocks for several number bases (2, 3, etc.), called multibase arithmetic blocks (MAB), so students could concretely compare different number bases and learn about the decimal system as one arbitrary choice among many possibilities.[3][4] Multibase blocks found support in the New Math movement of the 1960s. 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.[5]
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
- ^ Stern, Catherine (1949). Children Discover Arithmetic. Harper & Row. (Revised edition, 1971, with Margaret Stern.)
- ^ Dienes, Zoltán Pál (1963). An experimental study of mathematics learning. London: Hutchinson.
- ^ Kim, Rina; Albert, Lillie R. (2014). "The history of base-ten-blocks: Why and who made base-ten-blocks". Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 5 (9): 356–365. doi:10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n9p356.
- ^ 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