Manipulatives Reflection

I really enjoyed the manipulative activity. I felt that it was really useful to work with and think about them all in a different light. It is very true that we might be hired somewhere where they don’t even have one math manipulative so we need to learn how to use what we have the fullest potential to better the understanding and knowledge  level for our students to the best of our abilities.

How do you know students deepen their understanding while using manipulatives?

They are able to work with the manipulatives to physically see the math applications that are occurring. This allows them to understand what they are seeing to help make better sense of the applications when they are not using the manipulatives.

How do you know if the students can transfer their understanding from manipulatives to other situations?

You have to slowly teach the students how to do the application with less and less manipulatives. If they can solve the correct answer to the math problem posed without the use of manipulatives you have worked with their level of proximal development and scaffolded them to the zone in which they are currently in for the use of that specific math application to be done without the use of manipulatives.

How can you assess that understanding or growth?

I believe that this is done in a variety of ways.

   a.       Simply walking around and observing the students’ working with the manipulatives. Try and              hear what they are saying to themselves while they are using their processing skills.

   b.      Provide them with a task and see how they perform.

   c.       Ask them to teach you the concept and see how well they are able to accurately teach you.

   d.      Their performance level on classroom or state level testing.

When students work in groups, how do you hold each youngster accountable for learning?

I believe that this is a challenging task. However I have learned that if students are given a roll to fulfill and carry out with their group members there is a better chance each student will be learning and participating.

When students work in groups, how do you assess each youngster’s depth of understanding?

You can ask the group to present what they working on to the class or to you individuals and asses the body language and verbal language from each student. I believe you can also have the students complete a reflection; which will allow them to tell you what they did and what they believe they got out of the experience.

How are you improving students’ problem solving skills with the manipulatives?

I believe that the use of manipulatives allows students to improve problem solving skills because it is allowing them to physically see the reasoning and proof behind the math application/task. Then later the student will be able to draw from their experience with the manipulatives to help them make sense of and understand a more difficult math problem. They will be able to visualize what they were working with and possibly use that knowledge to solve the new/ more challenging math problems.