Counter Paint
Counter Paint
Are you looking for a fun math manipulative you can use with the whole class? This online counting manipulative is very versatile. Use it to make graphs, practice counting, or model addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication problems.
How do you use the Counter Paint tool? Simply pick a color from the left-hand side of the screen. Then, click on the squares of the graph paper to add counters. The number of counters on the graph paper will automatically show on the left-hand side of the screen. The total will appear in the bottom left-hand corner. To turn the numbers off, simply press the “Numbers OFF” button. Press the eraser button and then tap individual counters to erase them. Clear the whole board by pressing the trash can button.
How can you use the counter paint tool in your classroom? Here are a few ideas. You might demonstrate how to do each activity with the whole class and then have students work individually or in pairs with the counter paint tool.:
- Practice counting with your youngest students by adding counters to the board. Count aloud together. Turn off the number feature, then ask students to write the numeral that represents the number of counters on the board. Then, turn on the number feature so that students can check their answers.
- Model addition problems. Represent the addends using a different color counter for each addend. Be sure to turn off the number feature! Ask students to determine the sum. Students can turn the number feature back on to check their answers.
- Ask students to graph data, using a different color for each variable. For example, students might conduct a survey about everyone’s favorite pet. Then, students can graph the results using the counter paint tool. Encourage students to draw and color a key that explains the data.