Blog

What’s Red and White All Over? 

How the Rekenrek Supports Number Sense in Pre-K–Grade 5 

By Christine Hopkinson 

The rekenrek is a versatile math tool that is visual, tactile, and affordable. Its red-and-white bead structure makes number relationships easy to see and gives students a clear, visual way to think about quantity and place value. 

This post shares eight downloadable rekenrek mini-lessons for Pre-K through Grade 5 that teachers can use to support number sense in the classroom. Each lesson highlights a specific mathematical concept and shows how the structure of the rekenrek helps students see and reason about numbers. 

Didax Turns 50! Here’s What’s Coming in 2026 

This year is a big one: Didax is celebrating 50 years of active math learning, and we’re marking the milestone with new product launches, monthly giveaways, and in-person events all year long. 

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, homeschool educator, math coach, administrator, or parent, we’re grateful you’ve been part of the journey. Your support has allowed us to continue delivering the hands-on classroom staples you rely on while also creating new, innovative resources for math learning. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and show you what’s next. 

Exploring Montessori Materials: Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning 

The name “Montessori” is familiar to many, often associated with early childhood education. Numerous homeschool programs and classroom teachers draw inspiration from the Montessori philosophy, particularly during a child’s formative years from preschool through early elementary. What many people don’t realize, however, is that Montessori principles apply from birth to young adulthood. 

So, what is the Montessori philosophy, and why do so many educators embrace it? At its core, Montessori emphasizes child-centered learning, allowing children to explore and progress at their own pace within a carefully prepared environment. This approach nurtures independence, curiosity, and hands-on experiences, supporting the development of the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally. 

How Research Shaped the LEAP Curriculum for Early Algebra 

As seen in EdWeek 

The LEAP Curriculum, created by TERC and sold by Didax, was recently featured in an article in EducationWeek. The article explores how early algebraic thinking develops in young children and highlighted the research behind Project LEAP. What follows is a summary of that piece along with key program insights from the LEAP authors. 

For many years, algebra has been viewed as a middle school milestone, a moment when students suddenly transition from working with numbers to working with letters. Yet research from TERC and its university partners shows that the thinking behind algebra begins much earlier. This insight became the foundation for Project LEAP, a multi-year study dedicated to understanding how young children build the ideas that prepare them for success in later algebra. The LEAP Curriculum grew directly out of this body of research, bringing early algebraic thinking into

Manipulatives Make Algebra Learning Concrete for Upper Levels 

Every middle school math classroom presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges. Students arrive with solid arithmetic skills but often struggle as they move toward abstract ideas in algebra. When lessons begin with symbols and rules alone, many students quickly lose confidence. Hands-on learning provides a bridge, giving students something concrete to think with as they make sense of new concepts. 

Making Math Stick: How Manipulatives Boost Learning Across Grade Levels 

Children make sense of the world through sight, sound, touch, and movement. Decades of cognitive and neuroscience research show that sensory experiences form the foundation for abstract thought, including mathematical reasoning. When children explore, sort, build, and compare, they develop the brain pathways that later support number sense and problem solving (Butterworth, 2019; Sarama & Clements, 2021). This idea, often called embodied cognition, highlights how physical experience shapes mental understanding. In mathematics, hands-on learning is essential.  

Make Math a Family Affair: Your Guide to Hosting Family Math Night 

Turn math learning into a fun, interactive event for families! This step-by-step guide helps schools plan a successful Family Math Night, with practical tips, station ideas, and strategies to engage students and families in hands-on math learning.  

Bring math learning home and encourage family engagement. Family Math Night is an interactive event that brings students and families together to explore math in fun, approachable, hands-on ways. It helps families see the joy in math, understand how math is taught today, and fosters a strong home-school connection. Didax is pleased to offer many products to support in this Back-to-School endeavor.   

Little Minds, Big Numbers: The Importance of Math in Preschool Classrooms 

Hands-on math in preschool is about more than numbers—it’s about building curiosity, problem-solving, and essential thinking skills. From sorting and measuring to patterns and counting, playful activities lay the foundation for lifelong math success. These activities don't just teach math—they teach kids how to think. 

Let’s count, sort, measure, and build our way into bright mathematical futures—one playful moment at a time! 

Empowering All Learners!

Leveraging Active Mathematics Learning for Students with Disabilities

Introduction

In today's diverse classrooms, mathematics instruction must be inclusive, equitable, and accessible. Recognizing this imperative, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) have issued a powerful joint position statement. It champions the rights of students with disabilities to receive high-quality, grade-level mathematics instruction, backed by collaborative, research-based teaching strategies. 

This blog unpacks the key declarations, guiding principles, and actionable recommendations from this critical document. It also highlights ways Didax’ vision aligns and how our products can support educators in this critical mission.

Summer Learning: Joyful Active Math for Teachers and Parents  

Summer is the perfect time to relax, recharge—and keep young math minds sharp. Many students are eager to step away from school, but studies show that the long break can lead to a learning loss known as the “summer slide,” especially in math. The good news? Learning math in the summer doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork. With a bit of creativity, both teachers and parents can turn math into a joyful part of summer. Let’s explore exciting ways to keep math skills alive and well this summer!