This comprehensive, 192-page resource provides 68 stand-alone, manipulative-based lessons that support any first or second grade math curriculum. Each lesson features full-color photos of the key steps students should take to work effectively with each manipulative, as well as an explicit alignment with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and Expectations. Also included are standardized practice exercises that tie hands-on learning to critical achievement on pencil-and-paper tests.

Lessons are organized into color-coded sections by NCTM Strand (Number Sense & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurements, and Data & Probability) and include:
* Clearly stated, standards-based lesson objectives
* Bulleted lists of key skills and corresponding NCTM expectation for students
* Full-color photos showing step-by-step instruction of how children use the manipulatives
* Real-world math problems, a follow-up activity (including some cross-curricular ties) and idea generator for expanding each lesson
* Unique "Look Out!" sections alert teachers to the most common errors students tend to make
* Standardized practice exercises that connect hands-on activities with paper-and-pencil assessment

Manipulatives used in this volume include:
* AngLegs
* Base ten blocks
* Centimeter cubes
* Color tiles
* Cuisenaire rods
* Deluxe rainbow fraction circles
* Deluxe rainbow fraction squares
* Geoboard
* Georeflector mirror
* Pattern blocks
* Polyhedral dice
* Rainbow fraction rings
* Relational geosolids
* Snap cubes
* Spinners
* Two-color counters