2026 GOCSD Innovation Summit

Get ready to rethink the power of manipulatives! This hands-on session will show how giving students the opportunity to physically touch, move, and build with math tools can spark deeper understanding than screen-based practice alone. While manipulatives are often associated with early primary grades, they can be game-changing for upper elementary students—especially those who have struggled to connect with math in the past. Participants will explore how to use manipulatives to connect mathematical concepts to real-world situations, helping students make sense of what they are learning through building, modeling, and proving their thinking. This approach moves beyond rote memorization and drill-based learning, empowering students to develop lasting conceptual understanding. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use strategies, engaging lesson ideas, and interactive games they can implement immediately. This session is ideal for educators teaching grades 2–5.