Ÿ Plan ahead - Have the manipulatives ready for student use.

Ÿ Have the manipulatives easily accessible for the students.

Ÿ Allow the students time to explore the manipulative before you use them for a lesson.

Ÿ Make student rules for using manipulatives.

Ÿ Maintain a brisk pace when teaching a lesson.

Ÿ Allow students to make predictions and estimations.

Ÿ Allow a great deal of time for exploration.   Use a timer.

Ÿ Use correct terminology, but do not let the vocabulary get in the way of the lesson.

Ÿ Always be ready to ask questions or pose challenges for those who finish quickly.

Ÿ Clean them.