The Combo Kit

This is your "go to" kit. The "Cadillac" of Base Ten Manipulative sets. Base ten blocks developed by Jerry Mortensen, in the Montessori classroom. He was a clinician. He was exposed to all of the Montessori Math Materials and honed and paired it down to a few and then improved on those. These are designed to teach math. They are effective if you know how to use them. Check out the blog links below.

You can use other base ten manipulatives, but these are best suited for fun, easy, fast lessons. No fumbling around with hundreds of units. Simple multiplication takes too long with single units. These allow you to work quickly; the mind wants to work quickly and efficiently. 

Combo kit and a Passport and you're good to go. What do you get for a password? Click here. Or see below. 

Q&A on The Combo Kit:

Q.1. Will this set last me up till Algebra etc.? or maybe the question is how high will this set go? What level does it go to?

A. One of my sets is 20 years old. i use the combo kit for teaching EVERYTHING, particularly algebra but also pre calc etc. You shouldn't be waiting years to teach algebra anyway. This website shows you how to introduce algebra EARLY.

Q.2. Does the set include instructional material or can I find material on your website to help me to teach math using the manipulatives? Or is there something else I need to invest in?

A. Do the bear Catholic? The combo kit includes blocks only. Get passwords for training. My website has hours of free instruction, example lessons, PDFs made for base ten blocks, books and more. 

Q.3. Basically, do I have what I need to understand how to get started with counting and early addition and subtraction?

A. Yes. More than enough. Especially with the Sample Lessons Pages and other Password Protected pages.

Q.4. I noticed some sheet's or templates you used inside of the tray's that indicates 10's, 20's etc using the trays to do addition, subtraction and other math are those included in the set? Can the trays be leveraged as a part of the lesson or for self exploration.

A. They should be, if not make your own by down loading underlays. They are simple to make, and it's a fun project. Print and cut. The tray's SHOULD be leveraged as a part of lessons or for self exploration. i show you how on several pages.

Q.5. Are these base 10 manipulatives stackable onto one another? I'm also trying to understand how this compares to Math U See.

A.The blocks do stack but they do not interlock or snap together. Steve Demme was a trainer with Mortensen Math they parted ways in 1990. Math U See combines traditional text book learning with the blocks, by traditional i mean rather than emphasizing concept based teaching and math as a language they go level by level (more or less) they way traditional public schools do: addition then subtraction then multiplication then division etc...you won't see pre-schoolers doing algebra...

In fact you won't SEE algebra at all. They don't use the blocks to teach algebra.

Q.6. How many Base Ten Manipulatives (combo kits) do I need?

A. The ratio of students to combo kits should be not more than 5 students per combo kit in an ideal situation. If you use Banker, Builder, Drawer, Recorder a combo kit can be used for up to 12 students...the more kits you have the better so that each child has ample access to the manipulatives but a 1/4 or 1/5 ratio of kits to pupils should serve as a good rule of thumb.

Q.7. Can I just use one kit for presentation purposes?

A. Yes, and it is not as effective as each student being able to handle the base 10 blocks. i am fully aware that in some circumstances this is completely impossible. Make the effort to give students a hands on experience. 

Q. 8. How much should i expect to pay for a combo kit?

A. Anywhere from $40 to $150.00, More than that and it better be a newer kit (not white plastic trays) in pristine condition with no missing blocks and INCLUDE shipping. Always make an offer if they want more than $130.00.  Search market places like eBay, Craigslist, etc.  

Q. 9. Can I get started without one? Does it have to be mortensen math blocks?

A. You don't need to use or have a Mortensen math combo kit but some blocks work better than others and you do have to have some form of base ten blocks. 

Q. 10. Do i need a fractions kit if i have a combo kit?

A. No, but it wouldn't hurt. You can teach fractions with the combo kit. Besides fractions kits cost around $20.00 and are easy to find. MUS fractions kits are identical to mortensen math and are far less expensive. Bu you can teach fractions with just the combo kit.

See FAQ page for more.

 i show you how to introduce algebra early. Remove the no from the lesson, fail your way to success... And play with purpose.

Here, we're just counting, learning a little multiplication. Getting used to symbols. Nothing hard or scary about algebra. Algebra is just generic math so it helps us learn addends and multiplication. Base ten blocks make math child's play and Jerry Mortensen's combo kit is the Cadillac of base ten block kits. It is your "go to" kit for all topics, counting through calculus. 

Really, get a combo kit and passwords and you are good to go. Add a Multi-Tens kit if you like, but it's not absolutely necessary. Nice to have as a time saver though. You may have seen me use it in several videos, it's great because the brain wants to work fast and rather than counting out tens or X's you can just grab one block for what you need. For more about the combo kit, multi-tens and passwords GO HERE.

Click to see the the Multi-Tens Kit
"in action."

Lifetime Passwords are just that...you get a pass for a lifetime. Pay once and you are good, forever. Come back as often as you like. Watch vids, download PDFs. You get all my passwords to get through all my pay walls all for one low price...currently 4 passwords open almost all of my pages.. When you purchase the LIFETIME PASSPORT you get them all for one low price: $999.00...if you want the Algebra course it is $600.00 by itself but only $250.00 with a lifetime Passport.  Teacher training is $400.00 but you can break it up into 12 easy installments of 37.00 Or get all four passwords for a few dollars more but 24 months. 

Or you can purchase individual modules, & get a lifetime of access. Hit the Contact Us tab for the PayPal link or use the handy buttons provided. 

***Unlimited Lifetime Access:


M0AR Training
M0AR Training $100.00    
You are guided through two--one hour Introductions, one for "students" and one for "teachers", The Crash Course, Hurricane and Winter training.  You can take the cost of is training off any other password or the passport.

Passport 4 Passwords + AC = All four passwords plus the Algebra Course.  Basically all of my passwords for a one time fee of $1249.00.  You will also get M0AR Training: the crash course and Hurricane Training + Winter Training and all of my books.

Passport 4 Passwords $999.00 = All four passwords. You will also get the crash course and Hurricane Training and all of my books. But no Algebra Course. You can always buy it separately for $250.00 if you buy all four passwords. 

MOD 1: Series A+ Easy PZ + PDFs 
PDF Only (MOD I) $100.00 = Module One. PDFs and Books and more PDFs. You get the series A manuals, my books and the EZ PZ Overview. You will also get the Crash Course and Hurricane Training. This module has all ten Series A Manuals online plus my books and workbooks, as well as worksheets for learning how to write numbers, pdfs explaining the method and make it EZ PZ, pdfs for practicing concepts.  A plethora of PDFs all in on place. Most of them have explanatory videos to go along with them so you get best use out of them.  It will take you quite a while to download and print it all.  This has an entry page. 

MOD 2: Parent Teacher Training + M0AR Training 
Training (MOD II) $400.00 = Module Two. Training you won't get anywhere else. You will also get the Crash Course, Hurricane Training, and Winter Training, plus all of my books. Module one and two are a great combination. You will learn how to teach math using base ten blocks whether you are planning to homeschool or a side hustle, this Module will put you well ahead of any competition. Best of all the videos are fun...they may not be exactly entertaining, but they certainly are engaging. i get great results so you will get great results because i teach you how and the theory behind it, in other words how and WHY.  This page has an entry page. 

MOD 3 : Sitewide + PDFs 
SiteWide (MOD III) $250.00 = Module Three is the most bang for your buck. It isn't so much a module with an entry page as a collection of pages. When in doubt try the Mod III password. Coupled with Module One, you basically get my website from years ago before i added all the parent/teacher training and the so called "advanced" pages.  Spend time on these pages and training will be a breeze. Module Three puts theory into practice. Example IS the lesson. Module Two gives you theory and some practice, this module is all theory IN practice right in front of your eyes, you see and hear the children learning in real time. You can hear the ah-ha moments...the lessons are unrehearsed with real students. They are fun because learning is fun and watching others learn is fun too. This is in and of itself is priceless training. 

MOD 4: "Advanced Pages" + SSDSS Facebook Math Group 
"Advanced" (Module IV) $250.00 = i say "advanced" because Module Four is higher level math, but really you are still just creatively applying the five basic concepts. It has however come to my attention that other curriculums are not using the blocks to teach upper level algebra, and resort to symbols only in their books. i put the pictures back in and show you what the symbols mean and what the problems look like. This greatly enhances speed and efficiency of learning as well as making abstract concepts accessible to kinesthetic learners who can build the problems from the drawings. Visual learners love this method because they can see the symbols and operations, which makes it fun. 

i have lots of explanatory videos to make and add. i also have several entry or landing pages to build. When the dust settles it should be much easier to navigate, to get started, & to know what to do next.

Algebra Course 
$600.00.  $250.00 with $999.00 PassPort.
Prerequisites: The ability to count to nine. Identify if something is same or different or not. Be able to identify a rectangle or square.

i use base ten blocks to teach ALL topics. i don' resort to symbol only lessons until AFTER we have played with blocks. Get your blocks paper and pencil and play along, my success rate with people who have failed algebra or struggled in college is 100%. If you require more explanation or assistance email me, this password comes with tech support, we will set up 1 hour video chat. i usually clear up any confusion in under 15 minutes.

Course covers:

Pre Algebra:
Integers
Number line

Algebra:
Factoring polynomials. 
Completing the square.
Square numbers. 
Radicals. 
Graphing y = mx+b
Graphing polynomials.
Vertex Form.
Basic Trig Functions.
Problem solving.
System of equations.
Derivation Of The Quadratic Equation. 
+ more. 

Lessons last about 1 hour to 90 minutes (max) each.  These are recordings of actual tutoring sessions that cost the parent $250.00 per 5 lessons or over $1500.00 (not all the lessons got recorded and put here). You can watch them for $25 per lesson (half off) or get the whole course for a one time payment of $600.00 Here is more than 30 hours of Algebra instruction using base ten blocks you won't get anywhere else. 

As it turns out people who i thought were using base ten blocks to teach algebra AREN'T. 
https://www.crewtonramoneshouseofmath.com/Algebra-with-base-10-blocks.html

Go Home from the combo kit page...

Base Ten Blocks.
Fractions Kit

Combo Kits for Games And Activities 
M0AR Training (learn how to use the combo kit)

Bonus Sceencast
With
Combo Kit

Bonus: Five Year-Old
Factoring
Polynomials.

i'll have you know she knows two 6s is 12, which is why i just gave them to her instead of letting her get them herself. 

Base 10 Manipulatives
Four year old playing with blocks out of a combo kit