National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (http://nlvm.usu.edu) is an exellent interactive website for integrating technology into math lessons. On the home page you will find a chart where you can select which grade level you are working with: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12. There are also options to select which strand of the mathematics standards you would like to teach: Number and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, or Data Analysis and Probability.

When you click on any one of the options for grade and strand, an abundance of information related to that topic for that grade level will appear. There will be multiple types of manipulatives listed and defined. You can click on any one of them for activities. What is really nice about having so many options available, is that it allows students to practice independently, to select activities that are appealing and interesting to them, and to learn the concept through a variety of manipulatives with the benefit of immediate feedback. Each manipulative checks the students answers as they go, so right away they know if they need to review specific concepts involved in certain operations or problems. Everything listed is a virtual manipulative, so it provides great practice for the students. The manipulatives available on this website can be done at home for extra practice, at school in stations, or on a projector with the class as a whole. If resources are really limited, teachers can print different activities and use them as handouts.

It is a great way to integrate technology because students will have to use some basic computer skills such as typing, clicking, dragging, using a mouse, and maneuvering through the web.

This website is very organized, useful, and simple to maneuver. I think it will be very helpful in developing lesson plans. The standards are linked to each activity so that with a simple click teachers or parents can see which portion of the Standards that particular activity addresses. There is also a teacher/parent icon that users can select that highlights the key components of that activity and why it is important to learn. The information contained on that page provided great objectives and other information that can enhance lesson plans. It is definite must add to My Favorites.