manipulatives

plural noun

ma·​nip·​u·​la·​tives mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlā-tivz How to pronounce manipulatives (audio)
-lə-
: objects (such as blocks) that a student is instructed to use in a way that teaches or reinforces a lesson

Examples of manipulatives in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her kindergartners work with digital manipulatives rather than the physical ones her mother’s students use. Sonja Sharp Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2020 Some examples of manipulatives are scales, peg boards, interactive clocks, play money, and stacking cubes. Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, 14 Oct. 2020 That's why there is usually a diverse assortment of items, including tools, accessories, manipulatives, and even visual aids, found in homeschooling learning kits. Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, 14 Oct. 2020 Newly sanitized toys and manipulatives will be single-use only and will be disinfected between each use. Kellie Hwang, SFChronicle.com, 24 Sep. 2020 The classrooms looked like first-grade classrooms—no manipulatives or toys. Kristina Rizga, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2020 Schools will distribute other physical materials such as textbooks, workbooks and manipulatives. Brandi Addison, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manipulatives.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manipulatives was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near manipulatives

Cite this Entry

“Manipulatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manipulatives. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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