My current experience with Algeblocks

This student finished all of the simplifying expression problems on paper (correctly), and then used the algeblocks for the following:



But can I blame him? Why would a student who can already do a procedure well bother trying to figure out a slower, less portable method?

But then, the students around him who really do need to use manipulatives to help them understand the difference between 2x and x^2 don't want to use the blocks either. They feel stupid and they want to do it the faster way too.

This seems impossible without fully differentiating instruction in the classroom. Which also seems, you know, impossible.

We have our Numeracy class, in which students spend time working on ALEKS. The Numeracy teacher this year is doing small group pull-out during that time to work on specific skill building. I am starting to think we should use the manipulatives in that setting only.