First Grade Math Podcast
“Let’s Make Ten” Reflection
It is well known that students are more engaged in their learning when they are participating in hands-on activities. When a student can physically see and touch something, he or she is more likely able to understand it better. You can more readily keep a student’s attention if you are providing opportunities to be active while they are learning. Learning should be fun. There are many different learning techniques including group work. Group work benefits students in a classroom in many ways. It is important as a teacher to allow one’s students to work together with their classmates. Group work promotes social skills and problem-solving. When students are separated into groups, it gives them…show more content… Explained by Swan and Marshall (2010), “A mathematics manipulative material is an object that can be handled by an individual in a sensory manner during which conscious and unconscious mathematical thinking will be fostered” (Swan & Marshall, 2010, p. 1). According to Shaw (2002), “Manipulatives have been used over the long term for many years at the primary and early elementary grades. However, as students progress through their later elementary and middle grades mathematics learning, it is important for instructional materials to continue including manipulatives. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (N.C.T.M.) Principles and Standards for School Mathematics emphasizes the importance of using manipulatives and visual representations, as well as mathematical modeling, in each of its standards at all grade levels” (2002, p. 1). The use of manipulatives to teach math has many benefits including providing students with a visual representation of mathematical concepts which enhances problem-solving and understanding mathematical relationships. “Working with manipulatives leads to retention and application of information in new problem-solving situations. In turn, the valuable time spent on manipulative and model-based lessons has the sustained, long-term effect of building student confidence and deepening mathematics understanding” (Shaw, 2002, p. 3). Especially with young students, unlike pencil and paper activities, the use of manipulatives allows freedom of movement and tactile experiences especially for younger minds. “Completing paper-and-pencil assignments is often boring and tedious. Students lose interest quickly or struggle to get through the assignment. Manipulatives feel more like playing than learning, particularly when the students are allowed to experiment and explore with the tools outside of assignments. Even when a worksheet or written assignment is required, the