After last class period and throughout the semester I have come to realize how valuable manipulatives are in a classroom, specifically a mathematics classroom. They benefit students in a variety of ways. After Wednesday's class period I learned something very valuable: quality over quantity. There are a lot of different types of manipulatives out there, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is a good idea to purchase them all. Some manipulatives could be used for several different content areas, whereas others were created for one specific content area. I also learned that as a teacher we need to be resourceful. There are a lot of manipulatives that can be hand-made, so if there is a budget you need to stay within, consider making a manipulative. Some manipulatives are targeted for a specific grade level, so as a teacher I need to be aware of this. I enjoyed the base ten logs, because they can be used at practically any level, and a ride range of topics. They can help students from the basics such as part and whole, all they way up to complex fractions.
Manipulatives can be used to help describe a concept through using visual representation. This way students can actually see how formula, pattern, etc. works. Manipulatives are extremely beneficial for students with special needs. They help students connect what is on the board or in their books to something real, something they can touch or hold. Manipulatives can also help students who are unable to see, figure out a problem. Manipulatives could also be used as a stress relief or sign to just relax. Mathematics is often a subject that students struggle with, so having a manipulative help them understand the topic of discussion can be a sign for the student to just breathe and relax. It reminds them that they already know how do this type of study. This would be great for students with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome.
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