This study is based on a qualitative research and has examined the teacher´s role in the use of manipulatives in mathematics education.

Data was collected through observations and interviews. The interviews and the observations were made at a school in Stockholm county. Three teachers´ mathematics lessons were observed and they were interviewed about their role in the use of manipulatives. As main frameworks for analyzing the empirical material, were used ´the learning by doing´, ´the dynamic principle´ and ´the perceptual principle´.

The results that emerged from the study show that the teacher´s role is to establish the mathematical concepts with using of manipulatives, and then the sudents througt the teacher´s presentation and guidance will be familiar with the manipulatives. It is also important that teaching with manipulatives leads to students´s ability of abstract thinking. Teachers should offer the students an opportunity to be involved in their learning and to be able to work independently.

Keywords: mathematic, concretization and manipulatives