Target challenging math standards with photo-illustrated lesson plans
Hands-On Standards focuses on the most challenging topics for students and uses manipulatives to help deepen their understanding of math concepts. Step-by-step, photo-illustrated guides reinforce teachers’ content knowledge for ease of implementation in the classroom, enabling them to differentiate instruction in intervention, small group, and whole class situations.
- Lesson plans provide a simplified walk-through for teaching and reinforcing challenging math standards.
- Supplements your math curriculum with targeted lessons organized by specific standards.
- Enables students to build conceptual understanding through concrete, representational, and abstract progression.
How it Works

Select Lesson
Select lesson based on objectives, standards, or student needs.

Set the Stage
Set the stage using discussion prompts to explore previously learned concepts while building vocabulary.

Engage Students
Engage students with problem solving through hands-on, concept-based lessons.

Reinforce Concepts
Reinforce concepts with follow-up skill-practice.
Components & Configurations

Teacher Guides
Hands-on activities that use manipulatives to drive genuine understanding of challenging mathematics concepts.

Small Group Kits
Available for each Hands-On Standards Teacher Guide (sold separately) with enough material for 4 students.

Classroom Kits
Kit includes a Teacher Guide as well as enough hands-on manipulatives for up to 24 students.
Hands-On Standards Includes
Hands-On Standards Math

Integrate math practice with standards-aligned, hands-on lesson plans.
- 27 to 43 lesson plans target clearly stated objectives for all domains and are aligned to state standards.
- Manipulative-based lesson plans with deep content focus on skill development.
- Photo-illustrated lesson plans make it easy to identify points of discussion, ideas for more exploration, and formative assessment items.
Shop Grades K-8
Grade K
Topics Covered
- Counting and Cardinality
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Measurement and Data
- Geometry
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Attribute Blocks
- Sorting Circles
- Classifying Counters
- 1” Color Cubes
- Color Tiles
- CounTEN Sorting Tray
- Frog Counters
- Link ‘N’ Learn® Links
- Snap Cubes®
- Three Bear Family® Counters
Grade 1
Topics Covered
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Measurement and Data
- Geometry
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- DecaDots®
- Geared Clocks
- Graphing Mat
- Pattern Blocks
- Snap Cubes®
- Tangrams
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 2
Topics Covered
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Measurement and Data
- Geometry
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Coin Tiles
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Geared Mini-Clock
- Geoboard
- Inchworms™
- Inchworms Ruler
- 2-cm Color Cubes
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 3
Topics Covered
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Number and Operations-Fractions
- Measurement and Data
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Fraction Number Line
Grade 4
Topics Covered
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Number and Operations-Fractions
- Measurement and Data
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- AngLegs®
- Attribute Blocks
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Fraction Tower® Equivalency Cubes
- Geoboards
- GeoReflector™ Mirror
- Pattern Blocks
- Three Bear Family® Counters
Grade 5
Topics Covered
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Number and Operations-Fractions
- Measurement and Data
- Geometry
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- AngLegs®
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Squares
- Folding Number Line
- Fraction Tower® Equivalency Cubes
- Rainbow Fraction® Circle Rings
- Snap Cubes®
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Grade 6
Topics Covered
- Ratios and Proportional Relationships
- The Number System
- Expressions and Equations
- Geometry
- Statistics and Probability
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Algeblocks®
- AngLegs®
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Fraction Tower® Equivalency Cubes
- Geoboard
- Pattern Blocks
- Relational GeoSolids®
- Snap Cubes®
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Grade 7
Topics Covered
- Ratios and Proportional Relationships
- The Number System
- Expressions and Equations
- Geometry
- Statistics and Probability
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Algeblocks®
- AngLegs®
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Squares
- Number Cubes
- Pattern Blocks
- Polyhedral Dice Set
- Rainbow Fraction® Circle Rings
- Relational GeoSolids®
- Spinners
- Two-Color Counters
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Grade 8
Topics Covered
- The Number System
- Expressions and Equations
- Functions
- Geometry
- Statistics and Probability
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Algebra Tiles
- AngLegs®
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Folding Number Lines
- Pattern Blocks
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Grade 8
Topics Covered
- The Number System
- Expressions and Equations
- Functions
- Geometry
- Statistics and Probability
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Algebra Tiles
- AngLegs®
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Folding Number Lines
- Pattern Blocks
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Hands-On Standards Number and Operations

Build number sense and conceptual understanding with hands-on lesson plans.
- 12 to 18 lesson plans engage students in hands-on learning aligned to standards.
- Differentiated teacher tips and games reinforce number sense and algebraic reasoning.
- Focus on counting and cardinality, number and operations in base ten, and operations and algebraic thinking.
Shop Grades K-5
Grade K
Topics Covered
- Numbers to 5
- Numbers to 20
- Comparing Numbers
- Adding and Subtracting
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Color Tiles
- CounTEN® Sorting Tray
- Frog Counters
- Rekenrek
- Snap Cubes®
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 1
Topics Covered
- Understanding Addition and Subtraction
- Using Strategies to Add and Subtract Within 20
- Counting, Comparing, and Place Value
- Adding and Subtracting Beyond 20
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Frog Counters
- Rekenrek
- Snap Cubes®
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 2
Topics Covered
- Adding and Subtracting Within 100
- Place Value, Counting, and Comparing
- Foundations of Multiplication
- Adding and Subtracting Beyond 100
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- DecaDots®
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 3
Topics Covered
- Understanding Multiplication and Division
- Properties and Problem Solving
- Computation and Fluency
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 4
Topics Covered
- Operations, Word Problems, and Reasoning
- Factors, Multiples, and Patterns
- Place Value
- Extending Multiplication and Division
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Color Tiles
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Factor Track™
- Two-Color Counters
Grade 5
Topics Covered
- Expressions and Relationships
- Place Value
- Operations with Whole Numbers and Decimals
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Centimeter Cubes
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- DecimalMods® Tiles
- Factor Track™
- XY Coordinate Pegboard
Hands-On Standards Fractions

Develop conceptual understanding of fractions with hands-on lesson plans.
- 12 to 18 lesson plans engage students in hands-on learning that is aligned to standards.
- Differentiated lesson plans that outline vocabulary use and support-perfect for ELL learners.
- Warm-up activities, foundational skills practice, guided practice, independent practice, remediation, and enrichment opportunities.
Shop Grades 3-5
Grade 3
Topics Covered
- Understanding Fractions
- Equivalent Fractions
- Compare and Order Fractions
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Geoboard
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction® Circles
- Fraction Tower® Equivalency Cubes
- Fraction Number Lines
- Beginner Dual-Scale Ruler
Grade 4
Topics Covered
- Equivalent Fractions and Decimals
- Compare and Order Fractions
- Add and Subtract Fractions
- Multiply Fractions
Sample Lessons
Manipulatives Used:
- Base Ten Blocks
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Deluxe Rainbow Fraction Circles