Math Manipulatives

I learned how to add and subtract whole numbers in elementary school by using colorful blocks and counters. We can apply this same learning technique to teach students about performing operations on fractions. There are many different manipulatives that can be purchased or made for fractions. A great manipulative I enjoy using are fraction circles. You can buy a pack of these fraction circles which include several circles broken up into halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, and so on. Add a half piece and one fourth piece together and you have just added fractions visually. The same thing can be done with subtracting, multiplying, dividing, as well as visually seeing relative fraction sizes. What I mean by this is being able to see that two fourths = one half. This is a concept that may be difficult to learn when only seeing the numbers, but could be mastered easily for kinetically learners by using fraction pieces.
Evaluate how you teach fractions to your students, and consider using manipulatives if you are not already!