Frequently asked questions

PRODUCT DESIGN
Are products ready to use or is preparation necessary? Products must be cut and packaged prior to use. The good news is that the materials are commercially laminated with 3-mil film (twice the weight of what most school laminating presses use). Since the lamination is heavy and applied at high temperatures, the materials can be cut after lamination without risk of peeling at the edges. Also, materials have been designed to make them as easy as possible to cut. Heavy, 4 mil zipper bags are provided so you can package individual sets as you cut.

With all the pieces involved, how durable are the products? Products are printed on 8.5 X 11” cover stock, which does not peel at the core. The laminated sheets are heavy-duty, and you should be able to use them as often as needed and for years to come. Also, students tend to take care of the materials because they enjoy them.

What happens if pieces are separated from the sets they belong in? Every single piece in all Reading Manipulatives products has a unique code in order to maintain the integrity of the sets. Any misplaced piece can be tracked to the set it belongs in. The codes are also used for record keeping.

How do students know which sets within any product that they have completed? Set codes indicate the product and the individual sets within that product. Students use these codes to keep track of completed sets, as well as to select sets that have not been done. Products come with student checklists. Prior to using the manipulatives, the teacher must copy and distribute these. Students use their checklists to select sets and mark them off once completed. Amazingly, this system increases student motivation and involvement because they see the scope of the materials and want to finish the entire series.

What determines the number of student sets within a product, and do students need to complete all sets? The goal of all Reading Manipulatives products is to provide adequate practice for mastery. In some products, the sets cover a range of targeted skills. In others, all sets are similar, but students continue to perfect skills as they work through the multiple sets. If multilevels of products are available, most students are ready to advance to a higher level once they complete all of the sets in the prior level.

Do products come with storage boxes? No. Teachers need to find storage containers for the sets. Many types and sizes of plastic storage boxes are available. Once the manipulatives are prepared and packaged into individual sets, select storage devices that hold and display the sets most efficiently. Those that offer high visibility speed the selection process. Since students will be choosing sets that they have not yet completed, classroom organization is important. It works best to spread the various materials that are in use to locations throughout the classroom so students will not have to congregate in a single area.

Can I get replacement zipper bags? Three sizes of heavy-duty, 4-mil zipper bags are supplied with our manipulatives. Replacements are sold in quantities of 100. The order codes and prices are: 44B, 4X4, $4; 46B, 4X6. $5; 69B, 6X9, $9.

PRODUCT CONTENT
Are the manipulatives games? The hands-on, student-centered activities are engaging, but they are not games. Products cover all components of the targeted skills and offer abundant practice that leads to mastery. Comprehensive Reading Manipulatives materials are available for all types and levels of literacy skills. When students work at suitable levels in materials that interest them, skills and test scores improve.

Why are there no grade level designations on Reading Manipulatives products? As school populations become more diverse, the ability range of students in any classroom continues to widen. National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) composite reading statistics for grades 1, 4, 8, and 12 for the past decade demonstrate that 25 to 36% of students are below basic, having limited skills, and only 31 to 36% are at or above proficient.

Overwhelmed teachers tend to gear instruction toward students in the middle. As a result, students at the top may lack challenging activities and those at the bottom struggle. An important characteristic of Reading Manipulatives products is that most are effective with any age level. Our decoding products, while generally used in the primary grades, are effective in adult literacy classes. By the same token, there are bright young students who can be challenged with the vocabulary, syntax, and comprehension manipulatives. For approximate grade-level ranges, refer to the products we recommend in our grade-level set groupings.

Can Reading Manipulatives products supplement basal or other structured reading programs? These challenging sets of manipulatives and skills cards can be part of the core instructional programs. The individualized materials work exceptionally well in lab-like classroom environments and free teachers to work with small groups or individuals. However, they replace expendables and complement other programs. Once classes have an array of instructional manipulatives in use, teachers are released from the daily drudgery of preparing seat work for every reading group.

Are manipulatives suitable for older students? Although educators do not typically use manipulatives with students in middle or high school, they are optimal for a few reasons. Manipulatives suit the multiple intelligences most often demonstrated by adolescents: spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, and interpersonal. Active involvement promotes interest and accountability. Finally, the span of abilities gets wider with each passing year. Multilevel sets allow for proper placement, yet they have similar appearances, which takes away much of the stigma that is often attached to remedial materials. Reading Manipulatives offers products that are appropriate for students of all abilities.

Can manipulatives really develop skills as well as more traditional approaches? Based on millions of learning style tests, 70 percent of Americans are sensing types who learn best with hands-on approaches that proceed in a step-to-step manner and are experiential in nature. Students of all abilities and ages are far more apt to stay on task with manipulatives. Their game-like feel motivates students, so they work at higher levels and accomplish more. Active involvement in selection, checking work, and recording progress builds accountability. Plus, manipulatives encourage peer interaction and foster community.

Are Reading Manipulatives products based on scientific principles, and do they meet NCLB compliance requirements? Extensive brain research of the past 20 years indicates that skills should be taught holistically because fragmented instruction inhibits learning. Reading Manipulatives products employ structured, repetitive strategies to cover skills and achieve objectives. Students identify patterns and connect concepts with previous experiences. Completeness and continuity lead to mastery.

Data from learning-style research validates efficacy of hands-on materials. The majority of individuals, regardless of age, learn best when they are actively involved. Manipulatives encourage team learning and interaction, which are also of great value. Yes, these teacher-developed and tested materials cover critical reading and language arts skills in a scientifically sound manner and are supported by research findings.

COMPANY POLICIES
What is the return policy? Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If any products do not meet your expectations or needs, they can be returned or exchanged within 60 days. Full credit, less shipping charges, will be issued. Simply mail back and enclose a copy of the invoice with your return.

Are online orders secure and what is the privacy policy? All data entered online is secure. No personal information will be shared. We will not contact you except to respond to an inquiry or to settle an issue with your order.

Does Reading Manipulatives sell its products in stores or through other companies? No. At this time, Reading Manipulatives designs and publishes all products found in our catalog or on this site. We are the sole source for these products.

Do you offer discounts to schools or for large orders? The prices in our catalog and online apply to all. Multiple products are grouped into grade-level and skill-area sets, and these sets offer an average savings of 15 percent over single product prices. Also, the percentage charged for shipping is reduced in stages for larger orders.