Hello my name is Makenna Allmon and I am a junior at Otterbein university majoring in early childhood education with an endorsement in 4th and 5th grade! #octmchat
A1: I've been using math manipulatives since I started teaching. I don't know life without them. Back then we collected everyday items for counting and things. #octmchat
Hi! I'm one of the math consultants/coaches @HamiltonCoESC and current president of @ohioctm -- excited about tonight's chat... Concrete-Pictorial(Representation)-Abstract is my "intervention" strategy #OCTMchat
A1 In kindergarten, manipulatives are life! My favorite part is when students can make the educated choice on which manipulative will help them most in a given situation. I love seeing kids use different manipulatives and strategies to suit their own styles. #octmchat
A1: I don’t really remember using them when I was in school, but I love having them now for my students! It’s rewarding to see them gradually trust themselves more and rely less on manipulatives #OCTMchat
A1 I'll admit, little manipulatives for the beginning of my career. No training in my preservice. A few workshops with Sr. Helen Lucille and then full on submerge in Project Discovery 1995. #octmchat
When I first started teaching, I didn’t use manipulatives. Since being introduced to them a couple of years into my career (which was a long time ago at this point!), I can’t remember what it’s like to be without them! #octmchat
Just one grandkid - nearly 4 years old. She pulled out the linking chains last week when visiting. Nana has a whole classroom worth in her basement. #octmchat
A1- When I was observing a 5th grade classroom the students were using counting and stacking cubes to find the area of a rectangular prism! I needed a bit of a refresher myself and I found the manipulatives were helping not only the students, but me too! #octmchat
A1: I'm a hands-on learner that wishes my teachers would have used more math tools to help me "get it" -- Geometry hooked me in... and I haven't looked back!
I also have seen how helpful concrete math tools are to build conceptual understanding #OCTMchat
A2: I uncover new patterns and have ah-has about my own understanding of different concepts and connections btwn concepts when using manipulatives! #octmchat
A1: I think that it is so important to have manipulatives in the classroom. Especially in math. Math is a difficult subject for some students, therefore if they can have hands on materials it can help them understand the content better! #octmchat
A2: Manipulatives help students and teachers represent their thinking in a way that others can understand easier than just trying to explain all of the thoughts bouncing around in your head #OCTMchat
A2: I always learn about a Ss thinking by the way they use manipulatives. And sometimes their representations help me make connections and deepen my own conceptual understanding. #octmchat
A2: Brain research says we ALL need to start at the concrete level of understanding when we are learning something new... we can't just leap to the abstract/symbolic and expect students to "get it" #OCTMchat
A2: Manipulatives are helpful for students and teachers to explain your thinking. Rather than explaining “lines on a paper” you can explain your thinking through hands on materials! #octmchat
A3: Okay, today I'd pick pattern blocks because they are so versatile. They help with patterns, counting, geometry, fractions, sorting - building. #octmchat
A3: Today we explored fractions with #pattypaper -- I remember using #pattypaper when I taught HS Geometry for constructions, proving theorems and making conjectures #OCTMchat
A3: This is like asking me to choose my favorite child! Right now, I’d say centimeter cubes. They’re versatile for counting, building arrays, representing fractional sets, and each one weighs a gram. #octmchat
A1: As a student, especially in elementary grades, I loved manipulatives because I didn’t feel like I was learning. Now in my field experience I love using them because the students can engage with them and can “see” the math happening in front of them. #octmchat
A2 Using manipulatives helps students "act out" the scenario to solidify understanding. Teachers can learn a lot by watching students do this and asking questions. #octmchat
A3 My favorite manipulatives are rekenreks and students! We act out many of our problems. Food is also one of my favorites. Giving everyone some candy, then taking it away is a great way to teach about zero. (I do give it back afterward... I’m not that mean!) #octmchat
Q2: manipulatives are important for learners to visualize. They can be used for a variety of concepts in all grade levels. They can also be used for struggling students who aren't quite at an abstract level. #octmchat
A4: When I had a classroom, they were organized in bins and easily accessible for Ss to access as the needed. Lots of opportunities for #voice & #choice in how the represent their thinking. #octmchat
Q4 Manipulatives are stored where kids can’t get and access them when needed. This also allows students to play and explore with them during indoor recess. One student made a castle out of base ten blocks then counted to explain how many his castle was worth. #octmchat
My manipulatives are stored on bookshelves around the room in the open. Ss are encouraged to grab what they need when they need it. I wish I had a bigger room then I would never even put them on shelves!#OCTMchat
A2- Students and teachers learn differently! Many people need visuals/hands-on materials to gain a better understanding of the content. My kindergarten students and I made number lines with pipe cleaners and beads to learn how to count. #octmchat
A2: I feel they are important to teachers because it allows the students to learn in different ways. Especially for the elementary students.
Also, in kindergarten for example, “play” is very important and putting manipulatives can make learning like play. #octmchat
A4: When I have my own classroom, I will have the manipulatives out and in reach for the students. It is important for them to be accessible at any time for student use! #octmchat
A4: I redecorated my home office over Winter Break so my math tools were organized and handy when I’m packing and repacking for each day as a #mathcoach in many districts
Organized & accessible were key
Yes, there’s a system to what’s in each color #octmchat
Q3: I love using arrow cards. What a visual way to see numbers in expanded form and kids can see the patterns and relationships as they are exploring different situations. #octmchat
A2- Students and teachers learn differently! Many people need visuals/hands-on materials to gain a better understanding of the content. My kindergarten students and I made number lines with pipe cleaners and beads to learn how to count. #octmchat
A3 Today it is pattern blocks and fraction tiles. Last month it was base ten blocks and cubes. Next month cuisenaire rods, it all depends on the lesson. I can't choose! #octmchat
Q4: My manipulatives such as dice and blocks are stored in a closet that students can access. Conceptual place value tools are stored in table caddys and act as community supplies due to flexible seating #octmchat
A4- My cooperating teacher was very organized for math! All of her math manipulative’s were in labeled bins under number corner! Number corner is for the Bridges math curriculum so they were easy to access during math lessons. #octmchat
A4: when I do have my classroom in a few years. I will make sure my manipulatives are stored in a place that is easily accessed by my students. So they will always feel open to going and getting them if they need them to learn. #octmchat
Don't put limitations on manipulatives. What works for one may not work for another S. Ask them what they need! I had a S who did wonders with dot paper!!#OCTMchat
A5 Start! what will give you the best bang for your buck....what can you use for multiple activities: unifix cubes, centimeter cubes, pattern blocks, rekenreks #octmchat
