Manipulative Activities

Manipulative Activities 

When students are using manipulatives, it is important that teachers question them in ways to monitor their understanding. Teachers questions should guide students from manipulative to abstract thinking. Teachers can assess students understanding and growth through students answers to these questions. They can also assess the students ability to move away from the manipulatives after a certain period of time. When students are working in groups, students may be given roles to make sure each student is accountable for their learning. Students should rotate roles, so that each student gets to experience and practice with each role. When students are working in groups, teachers may individually question students or allow students to build off of each others answers. 

Students problem solving skills are improving when using manipulatives, because you are giving them something to physically move around and work with. Anything you can make visible will help students understand a concept. If students learn and practice with manipulatives, they should be allowed to use them on the assessment. Manipulatives are made for certain things, but they can be used for so many other things if you are creative.

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