Math Manipulatives How to use them to teach, in centers, and keeping them organized. K-2 SUMS Training

Why should we use manipulatives? When manipulatives are used, the senses are brought into learning: students can touch and move objects to make visual representations of mathematical concepts. A Paraphrase of a Chinese proverb: 'Tell me mathematics and I forget; show me mathematics and I may remember; involve me... and I will understand mathematics. “ Through presenting an activity with the three components (activity, technology, formalizing) we not only give students with different learning styles different ways to see a problem, we give them the extra time they may require for learning…Time and experience in class enrich an activity: students can learn from their experiences and connect the mathematics to those experiences.” - Suzanne Alejandre

How to Use Manipulatives In your Teaching Manipulatives need to be accessible to students at all times. Students need to feel confident and comfortable in using manipulatives to help solve problems (this comes with lots of practice and use of manipulatives) Allow time for students to explore and problem solve through individual, collaborative, or whole group methods. Journal about manipulatives: Topics include: Compare and contrast Summarize an activity Inference ways they can be used Why do should we use manipulatives? Details – describe a manipulative and how they are used to help you solve problems.

How to Use Manipulatives In your Teaching Cont. Teach with “opened” and “closed” activities Opened : Present the problem and let the students solve with no direction or methods taught Closed: Present the problem and show how to solve and provide practice

Virtual Manipulatives Use virtual manipulatives. Technology is another key to incorporate sensory learning. http://www.kyrene.org/mathtools/ http://nlvm.usu.edu/

Organizing manipulatives Bins of individual tools

Organization Cont. } for individual boxes Baskets of manipulatives with other materials needed Three drawer cart or bin Individual student bins Color code items Number code items } for individual boxes

Using Manipulatives in Centers Set ground rules for use of manipulatives in centers Do not allow center time to become play time Students should “explore” with new manipulatives before expected to solve problems with them Have a specific task for students to do in each center. Task Cards – See examples Let’s Create our Own!