Learning Resources Mathlink Cubes (Set of 100) & LER2095 Big Time Student, Teaching & Demonstration Clock, 12 Hour, Ages 5 12Hr, Multicoloured

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Teaching patterns with linking cubes is easy! Because the cubes come in various colors and can easily be arranged in different ways, they provide students with a tactile and visual way to explore patterns. To introduce the concept of patterns to students, have them create simple repeating patterns. For example, students can make an AB pattern by arranging two different colored linking cubes in a row and then continue repeating the same sequence.

Create different groups of cubes and write the number of cubes in each group on separate post-its. This makes math accessible for any child who struggles to write. Mix-up the post-its and have your child match the correct post-it to a group that contains the same number of cubes. Probably one of the most basic uses for snap cubes is teaching students how to count. By linking the cubes together, kinesthetic learners can physically move them to learn basic arithmetic concepts such as one-to-one correspondence, cardinality, and the commutative property of addition. For example, a teacher can ask students to link a certain number of cubes and then count them to reinforce the concept of quantity. I also love unifix cubes in primary and elementary classrooms because of the fine motor practice they provide! Another way linking cubes can be used in the classroom is to teach geometry. Students can explore shapes, symmetry, and spatial relationships by linking the cubes together in different arrangements. Introduce students to geometry by having them build simple two-dimensional shapes. From that starting point, your classes can then explore the properties of shapes. In younger grades, you might have students discuss with a partner number of sides and vertices. With older students, you could have them find the perimeter and area of each figure by measuring side lengths. Each snap cube is one unit, reinforcing the fact that area is one unit times another unit to equal square units. Use linking cubes to teach probability! Put different colored cubes in a brown paper bag and have students predict what color will be drawn based on the initial number of cubes. Snap cubes are an easily accessible classroom tool for modeling probability simulations, such as rolling dice or spinning a spinner. High-achieving students can also create their own probability problems for classmates to solve. For students struggling with statistical word problems, I like to use these cubes to model real-world scenarios. Sometimes you have to get creative with convincing your child to do math with you at home, especially if they have had previous experiences with math that left them feeling frustrated. Start off by having them design a picture with the cubes. Depending on your child’s level you can differentiate what you do next: you can have them count up the number of cubes they used for each color, or if they need to practice adding, help them create additional problems using their picture.Give kids one minute to link together as many sets of 5 cubes as they can. When the minute is up, put them together and count the groups by 5. Do the same with 2s, 10s, 3s, or other sets for kids to practice skip-counting.

This is an excellent activity to use when introducing your child to count by 2’s. Start off with two cubes and have your child write the number 2. In the next row put four cubes and have them write the number 4. You can use this idea to introduce counting by any number. 8. Practice AlgebraFill up different-sized containers with the cubes and discuss the relationship between the size of the container and how many cubes fit in the container. You do not have to wait until your kids are “older” to introduce them to a certain math concept. The sooner the better! As students become comfortable with patterns, you can move on to creating more complex sequences with more color and variation. Teachers can also encourage students to extend existing patterns. Provide small groups with a few prelinked cubes. Challenge the students to identify the pattern and then continue it by adding the next few links in the series. I love using [cubes] to help Ks and Gr 1s learn to count and make patterns. This also helps them learn that different people can use different colours but still have the same numbers in a pattern. Carla Lowther, Primary School Teacher I hope you are able to use some of these linking cube activities with your child to spark their curiosity in math and start some great math dialogue in your home.

Here’s an oldie but a goodie! Linking cubes are great for really young children who are learning colors. Have your child sort them by color and then count how many cubes belong to each color. 5. Compare QuantitiesLink the cubes together to form different patterns. Keep the patterns simple and make them more complicated as your child gets more comfortable with the different designs. It’s a great activity for any preschool-aged child. Put an inequality symbol on a post-it and form two groups of cubes. Ask your child to count the number of cubes in each group and decide which quantity is greater. Let your child get creative and turn the inequality symbol into their favorite animal. Remember the animal’s mouth (the inequality symbol) always faces the larger group of cubes!6. Create a Picture