Math Timesaver

This is an idea I use to save time passing out manipulatives during math.  At the beginning of the year I give each student a Glad food container.  In it I put various manipulatives students will use throughout the year.  Most of the items fit in film canisters and are labeled for easy accessibility.  I include 2 dice, 2 pigs, 20- 2 sided counters, 12 pennies, 10 small eraser counters, 10 connecting blocks and 20 connecting links. When we need the manipulatives they are easy to find and we save so much time with not having to pass items out one at a time. When finished the students return the canisters to their boxes.