Frequently Asked Questions:
Hands-On Equations

General | Support | Products | Workshops | Homeschoolers | Teaching

General FAQ

How long does it take for delivery of materials?

Delivery to the east coast of the United States can normally be expected in 2 to 3 business days. Delivery to the west coast normally takes 5 to 7 days. Special two- or three-day delivery is available at an additional cost. Please send your inquiry to [email protected] or call 800-993-6284.

How much are shipping charges?

Standard shipping and handling to the continental USA is 6%, with a $12.50 minimum charge. If you are ordering from outside the United States, please send an email to [email protected] indicating the items you would like to order. Provide us with your shipping address so that we can provide the correct shipping charge for your order.

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. These can be faxed to 610-398-7863, or emailed to [email protected]. You may also call us at 800-993-6284.

Support FAQ Hands-On Equations 

Can I preview the material?

All of our products come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Hence, you may order an individual or class set, try it out, and if you are not satisfied that it achieves for you the claims that we make for the product, return it with a short explanation and we will refund the purchase price, less the shipping and handling charge. If you have any special needs, please send your inquiry to [email protected].

How do I get a replacement part for the demo scale?

Send a digital image of the broken portion to [email protected] with the physical address to which you would like the complimentary replacement part sent, or call 800-993-6284 if you need any assistance.

Can I purchase an extra teacher demonstration scale? What is the cost?

The current price of the Teachers’ Demonstration Scale and Game Pieces is $76. Please note: This scale has no moving parts! It is only used to illustrate the equations to the class. It is not needed if you are working with one student only, unless the student cannot grasp the concept of a balance scale from the flat photo shown on the laminated scale.

Do you have any pre- and post-tests available?

Yes, we have pre- and post-tests available for all three levels of Hands-On Equations. These can be found in the Research section of our website at this link.

Product FAQ Hands-On Equations 

What comes in a classroom set?

The classroom set of Hands-On Equations for Teacher and Thirty Students includes 30 sets of student manipulatives (flat laminated scale and student game pieces),  the Teacher’s Demonstration Scale and Game Pieces, and the Hands-On Equations Learning System (S-1000). It also includes worksheet reproduction rights for the teacher to use with their students.

Are the Additional Classwork Sheets the same as those that come with the class set?

No, these are a new set of worksheets, one worksheet for each lesson, each one containing ten new equations.

What comes in an individual set?

The Individual Set or S-1000 is the full program for use with one student at a time. It includes the teachers’ instructional manuals for all three levels, the set of class work sheets (without reproduction rights, unless used at home by one family), the answer key, and one set of student game pieces. Note: The Teachers’ Demonstration Scale and Game Pieces are not included in the individual set.

What comes in the Deluxe Home Set?

The Deluxe Home Set includes The Hands-On Equations Learning System, the Hands-On Equations Introductory Verbal Problems Workbook, and the DVD Instructional Manual.

What is the difference between the two verbal problems books?

For students in grades 4 – 6, we have The Hands-On Equations Introductory Verbal Problems Workbook. It contains some 80 verbal problems which can be solved using Level 1 of Hands-On Equations. For the middle school and high school, we have The Hands-On Equations Verbal Problems Book which has more than 350 verbal problems covering all three levels of Hands-On Equations. Some of these problems will challenge your most advanced students!

Do you recommend doing Hands-On Equations before doing Hands-On Equations FRACTIONS?

Yeswe recommend students complete Level I of Hands-On Equations before moving on to Level I of Hands-On Equations Fractions. By working with Hands-On Equations first, they will gain a basic understanding of the meaning of an algebraic linear equation and the concept of a legal move.

Do you recommend working on the Developing Fractions Sense programs before moving on to Hands-On Equations Fractions?

Students who have worked with the Developing Fractions Sense program, at any of the grade levels, will already have had experience in recognizing the different size fraction blocks and in working with equivalent fractions. This experience will come in handy as they work with Hands-On Equations Fractions. However, this prior experience with Developing Fractions Sense, although helpful, is not essential for success with Hands-On Equations Fractions.

Homeschoolers FAQ Hands-On Equations 

Does a student need to be able to multiply or divide to begin Hands-On Equations?

The ability to multiply and divide is not necessary for success in using Hands-On Equations. However, students should be able to do simple arithmetic such as finding the sum of 7 and 8, or count by 6’s.  Students who do have their multiplication facts, will be able to do the checks more quickly.

What grade level is this program appropriate for?

Hands-On Equations can be introduced to gifted students as early as the 2nd or 3rd grades; it can be introduced to average students as early as the 4th grade, and to students with learning disabilities as early as the fifth grade. The program is also valuable in providing middle school students with a foundation for a formal course in Algebra 1.

Does the student or parent need to know any algebra before using this program?

No, the program does not assume any previous work with algebra.

What prerequisites are needed for a student to use this program?

It would be helpful if the student can perform basic computations, such as counting by 7’s and adding 9 and 8 mentally.  Even if the student cannot do so, however, the student can benefit from the program; it would just take longer to do each example and to conduct the check. For many students, the desire to succeed in the program serves to motivate them to want to learn the basic facts.

Do I need the DVD to use the program with my child at home?

The DVD is not essential but it is helpful. The manuals of the program are fully illustrated and even young children have learned the entire program from the manuals alone. However, the visual illustration of each example does have value, especially when a child sees another child demonstrating the solution on the video.

I would like to use the program with more than one child at home. What do I do?

You may purchase additional student kits (K-1000), at $5.00 each. The worksheets may be reproduced for use with other members of your family.

Teaching FAQ Hands-On Equations 

Should a teacher teach Hands-On Equations on consecutive days? Once a week? What is the optimum?

Many teachers use the program once a week. This has the advantage of providing spaced reinforcement of the concepts. Other teachers use the program a lesson a day until they finish a unit, especially if they need to provide the class set to another teacher to share.

How long is a typical lesson?

This varies depending on the lesson and the students. You can expect that a lesson might take 30 -50 minutes. The introductory component by the teacher might take 10-20 minutes; the time to complete the worksheet might take 10 to 30 minutes.

I am teaching students who are taking algebra in high school. Will the Hands-On Equations program be of any value to me?

If your students have trouble solving simple equations such as 4x + 3 = 3x + 9 or 2(2x + 1) = 3x + 10, then this program will be of value to you. You will be able to experience success teaching the major principles involved in solving these equations.

What happens when students no longer use the game pieces? How do they transfer their learning?

The program itself introduces the student to a pictorial notation using only paper and pencil. Our pre- and post-test results show that students do as well using the pictorial notation as they do with the game pieces. The manuals also show how to transition to the traditional written notation.