The Biggest List of Cuisenaire

and Gattegno Resources

I've assembled the biggest of list of resources on Caleb Gattegno, Cuisenaire Rods and how to teach math the way we do. I keep adding to this list. So come back often. Or you can subscribe so you don't lose out on anything good.

Where To Start

Gattegno Mathematics Textbook 1 by Caleb Gattegno

This is the first textbook. It seems small, but there is enough material for a couple years of work in pre-k through first grade. Even if you are starting with an older child, I would start with the algebra first portion.  This book covers: Introduction to rods;  Introduction to the Language of Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Fractions as Operators, and Symbols; Numbers 1-10; Numbers 1-20.

Handbook of Activities for Cuisenaire Rods

Handbook of Activities  by Guy Gattegno and Martin Hoffman

This was gifted to us from the Bronx Charter School for Better Learning. We have their permission to distribute it here. This book is out of print. I've never seen a copy of it anywhere. This is a treasure chest of material!

Easy introduction to teaching learners with Cuisenaire Rods

Now Johnny Can Do Arithmetic by Caleb Gattegno

This is an easy introduction to the Cuisenaire-Gattegno method for teaching math. It was written for parents, though many teachers have enjoyed this book as well.

Working with Rods and Why by  Ian Bensen and Jim Thorpe

This book reexamines Gattegno's work, including the subordination of teaching to learning, and it's application in 21st Century classrooms. It contains two essays written by teachers who are implementing Algebra before Arithmetic in their classroom and their experience with it.  Ian explores the functional relationships between patterns of Cuiseanire Rods. Available free from ATM.

Cuisenaire Rods Early Years to Adult by Helen Williams, Mike Ollerton and Simon Gregg

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wrote a review on my old blog where I joked about being disappointed. I was a little disappointed because I wanted much more from these authors. But, there is plenty here to get you started working with students of any age  - including adults. Absolutely worth it. 

Caroline Ainsworth, a primary mathematics teacher, worked with the Stanford Tizard network from 2007-9. Here she talks to Pete Griffin, Regional Coordinator for the UK National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics about the lessons she learnt in the project from studying the works of Caleb Gattegno and Madelaine Goutard

You can follow Caroline at Bursted Wood Math on Twitter @BurstedWood

Math Twitter Blog-O-Sphere -- Cuisenaire Rods


General Recommendations for Books, Cuisenaire Activities, and Rods

The Cuisenaire Company UK

Cuisenaire Company UK is the original and exclusive producers and distributors of the Cuisenaire® Rods in the UK since 1954, and the publishers of the books for teachers and students by Dr Caleb Gattegno and Madeleine Goutard. They have a lot of resources including books and  video. They sell the highest quality set of Cuisenaire Rods available.

Educational Solutions

Dr. Caleb Gattegno founded Educational Solutions in 1968 in New York City. They publish almost all Gattegno related books including the math and language texts. The link to ISSUU below is books uploaded by Educational Solutions.

Educational Solutions Youtube Channel

The Youtube channel has a small selection of math and language videos. There is also vintage footage of Gattegno teaching a classroom of 1st graders and Dr. Powell, from Rutgers University, teaching math to teachers in Haiti.

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) was established in 1952 by a group  of enthusiastic UK teachers; led by Caleb Gattegno, to encourage the teaching and learning of mathematics by relating more closely to the needs of the learner. Good books from the ATM: The KS1 Starter Collection and  Questions and Prompts for Mathematical Thinking

Hand2Mind

Hand2Mind owns the rights to Cuisenaire in the United States - search Cuisenaire. They also publish Cuisenaire Rod Activity books. Many of their books are by Patricia Davidson. I heartily recommend the Resource Book and Spatial Reasoning Books. Many of these books can be purchased used on eBay and Amazon for a substantial savings. Don't pay attention to the covers, the content is exactly the same.

Play Discover Learn 24/7

Play Discover Learn was created by Lacy Coker who is responsible for creating the homework in our math academy. She has created the kind of open ended math activities that Dr. Gattegno hand in mind when rethinking math education.

ISSUU

ISSUU is a great site where publishers have posted books for you to read free. Educational Solutions Worldwide, the copyright holder of most of Gattegno's work, has placed all of their material online to read free. You can look through the entire curriculum before you purchase it. 

Books By Madeliene Goutard

Madeleine Goutard worked closely with Gattegno and was a teacher trainer. The following works contain similar material. If I had to get only one it would be Mathematics and Children. I have found that Mathematics and Children to be essential to my understanding of how to teach in general. She addresses many problems that are likely to arise when teaching.

Mathematics and Children

Newly reprinted, this book can be purchased from The Cuisenaire Company UK. If I had to pick just one Goutard's books, it would be this one. It happens to be in print so that helps. 

Experiences with Numbers in Color

Goutard presents quite a few situations which are unique to this book. Unfortunately, it very difficult to find anymore and when you do find it, it's insanely expensive. If you want to be a serious teacher of mathematics and can find this for less than $50 grab it. You won't be sorry.

Talks for Primary School Teachers

This isn't really a book but a booklet. It seems as though this is Goutard's first attempt to take what can be utterly frustrating in Gattegno's work and put it into some usable form. I feel like they were sure it wouldn't take much to make it clear, but alas, that's not been my experience. There are some real gems in this book, but good luck finding it for under $100.

Gattegno Charts

These charts are referenced in Gattegno's books. The Wall Chart and Cardboard material are listed in the textbooks. 

Gattegno Tens Chart

Download a copy of our chart.
Alf Coles activities on the tens chart part 1 and part 2.

The Wall Chart and Cardboard Materials

The wall chart is hard to find and while it shows up in Gattegno's books, I haven't found it necessary. I much prefer the representation of number found in Prime Climb as it more closely matches the tower structure. I made a  version of the cards color coded to Cuisenaire Rods

Base Ten Block and Gattegno Related Curricula Providers

Not all of these are exclusively related to Gattegno. Instead, I've included all base ten block curriculum providers that we are aware of. Anyone with a knowledge of Gattego should be able to use these as they are all Gattegno friendly.  Not all of these are complete curriculum. Some will take students only to a certain grade. With all of these, the focus is on number sense rather than on symbols sense.

Miquon Math

Miquon was the first attempt to take Gattegno's work and put it into a curriculum for regular schools. The biggest difference is the focus on number sense vs symbol sense. Miquon starts out with numbers whereas Gattegno starts with algebra/symbols. The curriculum goes up to 3rd grade but covers concepts way above what would be found in a standard 3rd grade math curriculum.

Mortensen More than Math

Mortensen More Than Math is a full curriculum up to high school that uses delineated rods. Many students could work through the curriculum by themselves. 

Math for Love

Math for Love puts out a supplement curriculum rather than a full curriculum. However, I've included them because they use Cuisenaire Rods and also because creator Dan Finkel uses many of Gattegno's ideas when creating lesson plans.  While the primary focus is number sense, there is a lot of emphasis on understanding the symbols as well. 

Algebra for Breakfast

Bob Hazen has an online courses for student's grades 3 -6 that are an  introduction to algebra. The courses cover some pretty advanced algebra concepts using Mortensen Rods.  You'd be surprised how easy it is for most children. If your kids have been using Math-U-See and have become bored by it, Bob's courses may be a good supplement. 

Math-U-See

Math-U-See is to Mortensen Math what Miquon is to Gattegno. Math-U-See took Jerry Mortensen's work and made it more friendly for public schools and homeschoolings parents. It is a full curriculum. 

Stern

This is the only program that I don't know much about.  It is an early elementary curriculum and is mentioned in books written by Gattegno's collegues.  I don't know anyone who has used it.  The focus appears to be on number sense rather than on symbols sense. 

Best of the Blog-o-Sphere

This list is growing. Check back often.

Gattegno/Cuisenaire Blog List

This blog list is from folks I know, for sure, are using both Cuisenaire Rods AND Gattegno has informed the way that they teach.

Cuisenaire Rods Activities

This blog list is folks who use Cuisenaire Rods to teach math.  Gattegno may or may not influence the way that they teach.

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