Math Manipulatives

[annettemarie]

http://treeblocks.com/math_kit.html

Has anyone ever used this? What do you think?
We don't do the metric system, but could use it for the 4 operations and base 10 stuff.
I have a chance to get a really good price, and was wondering if it would fit into our Waldorf-inspired homeschool.
Thanks!
Annette

[Queen Gwen]

Gees, AnnetteMarie, I thought I'd seen every math manipulative available (and own an incredible amount of them), but this is a new one on me. Looks really interesting.

[annettemarie]

That's me- going where no homeschooler has gone before!

Do you think they would be helpful, Queen of the Math Manipulatives?
Annette

[Queen Gwen]

There's this voice inside of me telling me I need to buy them so I can give a better opinion. This is why we own so many manipulatives...some people have a weakness for shoes or handbags, I have a weakness for math manipulatives. :

Are they sort of like treeblock versions of Cuisinaire rods? I can't quite tell. I thought some of the Waldorf educators like Alan Whitehead were anti-Cuisinaire (for some reason I thought Donna Simmons was, too, but that may be wishful thinking on my part).

[annettemarie]

Well, I'm not real crazy about Alan Whitehead, so maybe that's a recommendation.
I'll post on Donna's list and see if anyone has an opinion.
Annette