In the past decade or two, one of the major trends in elementary education has been the use of physical objects (or "manipulatives", as we say in the ed biz) to introduce or reinforce mathematical concepts. Recently the thought has percolated upward: maybe kids aren't the only ones who can profit from having an object to form a bridge to the abstract. There is some question whether these objects should be called manipulatives, tangibles or toys, but no question that there are a number of neat ones around.

We will get to play with some homegrown (or at least home-used) toys, as supplied by Jim King and Casper Curjel, and some imported ones: Jan Ray from Seattle Central Community College has promised to bring some of the wonderful assortment that lines the edges of their math lab and to tell us how the SCCC faculty uses them.

Come play and discuss. If you have toys, too, please bring them in!