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Manipulatives in the Primary Classroom
Take a ... Geoboard
Board Block
Inside Triangles
Happy Halving
Transformations on a Pegboard
Nine-pin Triangles
Board Block Challenge
Pebbles
Geoboards
Geoboards
In this feature, we bring together activities which make use of the geoboard or pegboard, which is a wonderful resource for developing children's understanding of properties of shape, area and angles. There are two articles to read. The first offers guidance about the use of manipulatives generally and the second explains why we have selected these particular activities.
Manipulatives in the Primary Classroom Age 5 to 11
Age 5 to 11
In this article for teachers, Jenni Back offers research-based guidance about the use of manipulatives in the classroom.
Take a ... Geoboard Age 5 to 11
Age 5 to 11
This article for teachers explains why geoboards are such an invaluable resource and introduces several tasks which make use of them.
A virtual geoboard that allows you to create shapes by stretching rubber bands between pegs on the board. Allows a variable number of pegs and variable grid geometry and includes a point labeller.
Board Block Age 5 to 7Challenge Level 
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Take it in turns to make a triangle on the pegboard. Can you block your opponent?
Inside Triangles Age 5 to 7Challenge Level
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
How many different triangles can you draw on the dotty grid which each have one dot in the middle?
Happy Halving Age 5 to 7Challenge Level
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Can you split each of the shapes below in half so that the two parts are exactly the same?
Transformations on a Pegboard Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
How would you move the bands on the pegboard to alter these shapes?
Nine-pin Triangles Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
How many different triangles can you make on a circular pegboard that has nine pegs?
Board Block Challenge Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Choose the size of your pegboard and the shapes you can make. Can you work out the strategies needed to block your opponent?
Pebbles Age 7 to 11Challenge Level
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?
Geogebra square, circular and rectangular geoboards.