Experienced teachers developed the comprehensive, well-researched products offered by Reading Manipulatives. In less hectic times, teachers actually found time to make materials to supplement the reading programs in use in their classrooms. But today’s teachers have more demands coming from all directions, and spare time is nonexistent. Products offered by Reading Manipulatives fill the void with effective, engaging materials that teach all types and levels of literacy skills.

We realize that those using our products are an invaluable resource. Feedback lets us know what educators like, plus it helps us to improve current offerings and expand the product line. The ratings and comments that follow were taken from product evaluation questionnaires filled in by existing Reading Manipulatives customers, as well as from e-mails and other communication.

Respondents gave each statement on the questionnaire a rating from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. The figures below show the average of all responses. A sampling of responses relevant to the category follows the ratings.

WHAT OTHER EDUCATORS HAD TO SAY

Skills coverage and content
Reading Manipulatives has the only literacy-skill-development program featuring comprehensive sets of manipulatives. The materials may seem like games, but, in fact, they are unique, individualized student sets that teach skills holistically. Both teachers and students respond positively to hands-on methods.

   • develop skills in a logical, comprehensive manner – 4.7
   • meet student needs with suitable levels or multilevels – 4.8
   • engage students with interesting activities and topics – 4.6

“These high-interest materials are easily adaptable to my lessons and a diversity of learners.”
“Students grasp concepts faster and get lots of opportunities to practice and review skills.”
“By having more than one level, I can meet the needs of all of my readers.”
“The logical progression of difficulty makes it easy for all students to work independently.”
“Phoneme illustrations have helped my ESOL students to learn and remember English sounds. Also, songs provide repeated listening to a voice other than mine.”
“I didn’t realize how much I relied on your products until I took a new job. Now I am buying them myself as I can afford them. I’d rather pay for great products so I can spend time with my family. Thank you.”
“Interesting, effective ways to improve sentence structure, comprehension, and writing.”
“Students love the stories. I am constantly being asked, ‘Is this true?’”
“The manipulatives do a better job preparing my students for tests than the test-preparation materials that the district gives me.”

Student involvement and effectiveness
A lab-like setting where students have choices is remarkably effective. Active involvement builds accountability. Once students are taught the skills and introduced to the sets of manipulatives, in most cases they are able to select, complete, correct, and record activities. They are highly motivated to work through the sets and achieve superior results.

   • understand products and work independently through activities – 4.7
   • actively involved in selection, completion, checking, and record keeping – 4.7
   • prefer manipulatives and skills cards over other choices – 4.8

“Hands-on is so much more effective than pencil and paper. My students love to work with all the products I have from your company.”
“My students come into class asking to use the games, and I think, ‘You mean the learning games?’”
“The manipulatives are easy to modify for my limited English speakers.”
“The day I introduced scrambled sentences to my eighth graders, they didn’t want to leave when the period bell rang.”
“The materials for older students, especially in language mechanics, are great and fill a gap.”
“My students always prefer hands-on activities. They seem to grasp concepts much faster when they use manipulatives.”
“A much-needed break from pencil and paper. Students definitely enjoy manipulatives and stay on task when using them.”
“I love the self-checking manipulatives. My students want to work through an entire set, so I have to assign certain activities each day to assure a balance.”
“With all the emphasis on basic skills and testing, it’s great to have materials to challenge my advanced students.”

Product design and durability
Reading Manipulatives products are a great value. The individualized materials are printed on cover-weight paper and commercially laminated, making them quite durable. Every piece is coded to maintain set integrity. Students tend to take care of the manipulatives because they appreciate and enjoy them.

   • durable due to paper and lamination weight – 4.9
   • make excellent use of color, graphics, and type – 4.8
   • maintain integrity of the sets with logical, easy-to-understand coding – 4.9

“I was blown away by the sense of organization in the manipulatives.”
“Coding makes it easy to organize and keep track. Students like to check and record their work.”
“Nice to get them laminated and with zipper bags since we were able to start using them quickly.”
“High quality, durable products that my students love. Keep up the good work!”
“They are colorful, durable, and so adaptable to lots and lots of my lessons.”
“Sets were a pain to cut and assemble, but now I have used them over and over, and they are as good as new. I got back the time invested long ago.”
“Materials are colorful and durable; however, my favorite feature is that they are so student-friendly.”

PLEASE GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK

To make our products the best that they can be, we solicit your ongoing feedback. Let us know what you and your students like, how the products are working for you, and what you think should be improved. Your feedback can help us to make our materials the best that they can be since computerized publishing allows continual updating. Also, let us know if you have suggestions for products that develop skills not currently addressed.

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