Mathematics Teaching Aids (TLM)
This page explains the names, uses and purpose of maths teaching-learning material (TLM) — abacus, geoboard, fraction strips, workbook and more — for REET. This is a regularly-tested topic within the Maths Pedagogy section that brings conceptual questions.
- 1 question in REET 2024
- Teacher-training level
- 7 min read
How REET asks this topic
REET 2024 carried a direct question on the main purpose of a 'workbook' — showing that this section tests clear understanding of the names, uses and purpose of different teaching aids (TLM), not calculations.
The Role of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM)
The main purpose of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) is to turn abstract mathematical concepts into a concrete experience for the child. It's built on the 'concrete to abstract' teaching principle — concrete → representational → abstract — where the child first learns from concrete objects, then from pictures/semi-concrete representations, and finally reaches symbols and formulas (the abstract).
Key Maths Teaching Aids
| Material | Main Use |
|---|---|
| Abacus | For teaching place value and counting |
| Geoboard | For building geometric shapes and understanding perimeter-area |
| Fraction strips/charts | For comparing fractions and understanding equivalent fractions |
| Number line | For understanding integers, fractions and basic operations |
| Dienes/base-ten blocks | For teaching place value and addition-subtraction-multiplication operations concretely |
| Cuisenaire rods | For understanding the relationships between numbers and basic operations |
| Weighing balance | For showing measurement and the idea of equation balance |
| Geometry box (compass, protractor, ruler) | For geometric constructions and angle measurement |
| Worksheet | For a single practice task focused on one concept/topic |
| Workbook | For giving structured practice opportunities on topics already taught (its main purpose) |
Types of Teaching Material (Audio/Visual/Audio-Visual)
- Visual aids
- Things learned by seeing — like charts, models, geoboards, number lines
- Audio aids
- Things learned by hearing — like recorded lectures, mathematical songs/rhymes (multiplication tables)
- Audio-visual aids
- Things that involve both seeing and hearing — like educational videos, animations
Maths Lab and Principles for Choosing Material
A maths lab/maths kit is an organised space or collection of resources where students discover concepts by doing activities themselves with various concrete materials (abacus, geoboard, solid shapes, measuring tools, etc.), rather than only listening to a lecture. It's based on the 'learning by doing' principle.
When choosing teaching material, keep in mind that it should be affordable, durable, locally available, and suited to the class level — expensive or store-bought material isn't necessarily the most effective; material made from local resources (like pebbles, seeds, matchsticks) can be just as useful.
A good piece of teaching material has three tests — first, it should be tied to one clear concept or learning objective; second, it should give the child the chance to actually do something (touch, join, break apart) rather than just watch; and third, it should be easily accessible to all children in the class, however limited classroom resources may be. Only material that passes these tests truly counts as 'teaching-learning material' — otherwise it's just decoration.
The teacher should also keep in mind that once a concept is clear, use of the material should be gradually reduced, moving the child toward abstract thinking — the goal isn't permanent dependence on material, but material as one stepping stone toward building understanding.
Classroom Use
| Material | Example Classroom Use |
|---|---|
| Abacus | In primary class, sliding beads to build numbers, to teach place value (units-tens-hundreds) |
| Geoboard | Building various polygons with rubber bands to compare perimeter and area |
| Fraction strips/charts | Placing different fractions side by side to identify the larger and smaller ones |
| Workbook | Solving practice questions right after a topic is taught, to cement understanding |
| Weighing balance | Balancing both pans to show the idea of balance in an equation |
| Local material (pebbles, seeds, sticks) | Low-cost practice of early concepts like counting, addition-subtraction and grouping |
Memory trick / exam tip
Remember the difference between 'workbook' and 'worksheet' — a worksheet is a single practice task on one topic, while a workbook is a collection of structured exercises for a whole term/chapter. Their main purpose is to give practice opportunities, not assessment — exactly as REET 2024's question tested.
REET 2024 Questions (with Solutions)
Question 118
The main purpose of ‘Work book’ is to
- Aअभ्यास के अवसर देना
- Bमूल्यांकन
- Cछात्रों को व्यस्त रखना
- Dशिक्षकों का बोझ कम करना
Explanation
कार्यपुस्तिका (workbook) में पढ़ाए गए प्रकरणों पर आधारित अभ्यास प्रश्न/कार्य होते हैं, इसलिए इसका मुख्य उद्देश्य छात्रों को अभ्यास के अवसर देना है। इससे मूल्यांकन में सहायता मिल सकती है, पर वह मुख्य उद्देश्य नहीं है; छात्रों को व्यस्त रखना या शिक्षक का बोझ कम करना इसका शैक्षिक उद्देश्य नहीं है।
Practice Questions
Question 1
What is the main difference between a maths workbook and a worksheet?
- Aकार्यपुस्तिका क्रमबद्ध अभ्यासों का संग्रह होती है, कार्यपत्रक एकल विषय पर एक बार का अभ्यास कार्य
- Bदोनों एक ही चीज़ हैं
- Cकार्यपत्रक मूल्यांकन के लिए है, कार्यपुस्तिका खेल के लिए
- Dकार्यपुस्तिका केवल शिक्षक उपयोग करते हैं
Explanation
A workbook is a collection of structured exercises for a whole term/chapter, while a worksheet is a single practice task focused on one topic.
Question 2
The abacus is mainly helpful in teaching which concept?
- Aस्थानीय मान (place value)
- Bक्षेत्रमिति
- Cप्रायिकता
- Dसमुच्चय
Explanation
Sliding an abacus's beads across columns for units, tens, hundreds and so on makes the concept of place value clear.
Question 3
A geoboard is mainly used for which purpose?
- Aज्यामितीय आकृतियाँ बनाना व परिमाप-क्षेत्रफल समझना
- Bभिन्न सिखाना
- Cसमय सिखाना
- Dमुद्रा गणना
Explanation
Building various polygons on a geoboard with rubber bands lets students explore and compare their perimeter and area.
Question 4
According to the 'concrete to abstract' teaching principle, what is the correct sequence for teaching mathematics?
- Aमूर्त वस्तुएँ → चित्र/अर्ध-मूर्त निरूपण → प्रतीक/सूत्र (अमूर्त)
- Bसीधे सूत्र → मूर्त वस्तुएँ
- Cचित्र → सूत्र → मूर्त वस्तुएँ
- Dकोई निश्चित क्रम नहीं
Explanation
This principle says a child should first get experience from concrete objects, then from pictures/semi-concrete representations, and finally reach abstract symbols and formulas.
Question 5
A weighing balance can be used in class to demonstrate which concept?
- Aसमीकरण में दोनों पक्षों का संतुलन
- Bप्रायिकता
- Cसममिति
- Dकोण मापन
Explanation
Balancing both pans can show that both sides of an equation must remain equal in value, just as the scale stays balanced.
Question 6
A number line is most suitable for teaching which concept?
- Aपूर्णांकों का जोड़-घटाव व क्रम
- Bठोस आकृतियों का आयतन
- Cआँकड़ों का वर्गीकरण
- Dकोणों की रचना
Explanation
Moving forward and backward on a number line visually explains the addition-subtraction and ordering of integers.
Question 7
Which is the most suitable material for a teacher to use to help children compare fractions?
- Aभिन्न पट्टी/भिन्न चार्ट
- Bज्यामिति बॉक्स
- Cतुला
- Dअबेकस
Explanation
Placing different fractions side by side on a fraction strip/chart allows for a visual comparison, making it the most suitable material for understanding fractions.
Question 8
Cuisenaire rods are mainly used for teaching which concept?
- Aसंख्या संबंध व मूल गणितीय संक्रियाएँ
- Bसांख्यिकी
- Cरचनाएँ (constructions)
- Dप्रायिकता
Explanation
Cuisenaire rods of different colours and lengths are used to teach how numbers relate to each other and basic operations like addition-subtraction-multiplication.
Question 9
While choosing a teaching learning material (TLM), what should a teacher consider first?
- Aसामग्री कक्षा के स्तर व सीखने के उद्देश्य के अनुकूल हो
- Bसामग्री महंगी हो
- Cसामग्री केवल शिक्षक उपयोग करे
- Dसामग्री रंगीन हो
Explanation
TLM should always be chosen keeping the class level and the learning objective in mind — only then is it effective; colour or cost are secondary considerations.
Question 10
A key characteristic of a worksheet is:
- Aयह किसी एक अवधारणा/प्रकरण पर केंद्रित एकल अभ्यास शीट होती है
- Bयह पूरे वर्ष के लिए एक ही होती है
- Cइसमें कभी उत्तर नहीं दिए जाते
- Dयह केवल मूल्यांकन हेतु प्रयुक्त होती है
Explanation
A worksheet is usually built for a single round of practice focused on one concept or topic, unlike a workbook, which is a structured collection covering an entire term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does REET ask from maths teaching aids (TLM)?+
Usually this topic brings conceptual questions on the names, uses and purpose of various materials (abacus, geoboard, workbook, etc.); REET 2024 had 1 question.
What is the main purpose of a workbook?+
The main purpose of a workbook is to give structured practice opportunities on topics already taught, not assessment or filling time.
What concept is the abacus useful for teaching?+
The abacus is mainly useful for teaching place value and counting.
What does the 'concrete to abstract' teaching principle mean?+
It means teaching first from concrete objects, then from pictures/semi-concrete representations, and finally moving to symbols and formulas (the abstract form).
What's the difference between a worksheet and a workbook?+
A worksheet is a single practice sheet focused on one topic, while a workbook is a collection of structured exercises for a whole term.
What's the purpose of a maths lab?+
A maths lab gives students the chance to discover concepts by doing activities with concrete material themselves, deepening understanding through the 'learning by doing' principle.
How is teaching material divided into visual, audio and audio-visual?+
Visual aids (like charts, models) are for learning by seeing, audio aids (like songs, tables) for learning by hearing, and audio-visual aids (like educational videos) use both senses.
Is expensive material always the most effective teaching aid?+
No, local and affordable material (like pebbles, seeds, sticks) can be just as effective, provided it's tied to the concept and gives the child a chance to actually do something.
What concept are Dienes blocks useful for teaching?+
Dienes blocks (base-ten blocks) are useful for teaching place value and operations like addition-subtraction-multiplication concretely — units, tens and hundreds are shown using blocks of different sizes.
What should a teacher keep in mind after using teaching material in class?+
The teacher should gradually reduce dependence on the material and move the child toward abstract thinking (formulas and symbols), so the material remains just a stepping stone to understanding, not a permanent crutch.
What's the difference between Cuisenaire rods and Dienes blocks?+
Cuisenaire rods show the relationships between numbers through colour and length, while Dienes blocks focus mainly on clarifying place value (units-tens-hundreds) through differences in size.
Read Next
Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked