Connecting Cuisenaire® Rod Kits
What it is: A series of all-in-one math manipulative kits for hands-on skills learning, review, and practice.
What teachers said: “Excellent! Easy to prepare and use, with numerous applications. The overhead rods make the kits easy to use with the whole class.”
Learning Resources; www.learningresources.com; Gr. 1-3; $39.95/set; Gr. 4-6 skill sets also available.
 
 
See & Feel™ Writing Tablets
What it is: A new series of chunky notebooks featuring tactile, raised lines.
Why we like it: These useful, sturdy notebooks with tear-out sheets will really appeal to kids as they see and feel their way through writing practice.
MeadWestvaco; www.mead4teachers.com/tab; Gr. PreK-2; $2.99/each; free samples currently available.
 
 
Let's Learn ABCs
What it is: A durable and colorful ABC floor mat with laminated, coordinating flash cards; an instant learning center.
What teachers said: “An excellent way to help students learn and recognize the alphabet and individual letters. Kids will have a great time leaping from letter to letter. It's bright and fun.”
Let's Learn & Play Toys; www.letslearntoys.com; Gr. PreK-2; $15 (wholesale); retail prices vary.
 
 
Kid K'NEX Classroom Collection
What it is: A complete set of construction pieces for building 17 different models.
What teachers said: “Exceptional! A comprehensive, educational tool. Kids use creativity and critical thinking.”
K'NEX; www.knexeducation.com; Gr. PreK-3; $75/267-piece classroom set; smaller/larger sets also available.
 
 
Childwood Magnets
What it is: A series of wooden magnets; each storytelling set has a story card, activity card, and a reproducible mini-book.
What teachers said: “Many applications for the standards. Hands-on and interactive. So many extension activities!”
Childwood; www.childwoodmagnets.com; PreK-2; $22.95.
 

Phonics Tiles
What it is: An adaptable mat with pockets and 26 letter tiles; applies the rules of phonics for kids and pronounces any word correctly.
What teachers said: “It recognizes all vowel and consonant blends, even in invented words. Easy to clean up and store.”
Neurosmith; www.neurosmith.com; Gr. PreK-2; $69.99
 
 
World Floor Map
What it is: A bright foam floor puzzle map of the world's continents.
Why we like it: It's colorful and durable. The pieces are visually attractive, easy to handle, and will catch kids' attention.
Edushape; 1-800-404-4744; Gr. K and up; $19.99.
 
 
Rocks & Minerals Collection
What it is: A varied collection of rocks and minerals with a complete resource book.
Why we like it: It's a useful, affordable, hands-on science manipulative set.
Squire Boon Village; 1-800-234-1804; Gr. 2-12; $2.98/set shown here.


These reviews were originally published in the October 2003 issue of Instructor.
 
 
Back to Teacher Raves 2003 main page.