Manipulative Reflection

In class I enjoyed exploring the different types of manipulative in class. I discovered that you can use a manipulative in so many ways! All grades and different math concepts can be benefit from using the manipulative. I am a hands-on learner so I really understand why students like to use these. It is visually appealing and allows for students to deepen their undressing of a concept or use the manipulative to be able to understand a concept. I know that students are deepening their understanding of a topic if the student can transfer what they learned on paper and through lecture into the manipulative. For example, the student would be able to show what 2 times 4 looks like using snap cubes. You can assess their understanding by if the student uses a manipulative correctly and is able to show and explain what he or she did with the manipulative. When students work in groups I think the students will tend to want to play with the manipulative. I noticed that even myself wanted to play with the manipulative. So to make sure that students are accountable walk around the classroom making sure students are working and have the students complete a worksheet along with the manipulative so that you know if the student was working or not working. Working with manipulative allows for students to work on their problem solving skills because they have to solve problems using the manipulative. It allows for students to transfer what they work on paper on to the into a manipulative.