Unit 1: Research on Hands-on Manipulatives in Mathematics

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Unit 1 Overview

Research on Hands-On Manipulatives in Mathematics

In the first unit of the mini-course, participants will learn about the benefits of hands-on manipulatives in mathematics and reflect on why they should start using them in their classrooms. Various scholarly articles with educate participants about how hands-on manipulatives can improve instructional design by promoting learning for understanding and higher levels of mathematical reasoning. Participants will also learn about strategies to effectively help them implement hands-on manipulatives into their teaching for the first time. A scholarly article will inform participants how to best introduce hands-on manipulatives to students and model how to use them.

Lesson 1: Benefits of Hands-On Manipulatives in Mathematics

Lesson 2: Discussion on Benefits of Hands-On Manipulatives in Mathematics

Lesson 3: Implementing Hands-On Manipulatives into Instruction

Lesson 4: Discussion on Implementing Hands-On Manipulatives into Instruction

Lesson 1: Benefits of Hands-On Manipulatives in Mathematics

Directions: Read following scholarly articles about the benefits hands-on manipulatives in mathematics.

Virtual Algebra Tiles: A Pedagogical Tool to Teach and Learn Algebra Through Geometry

Developing Model-Based Reasoning in Mathematics and Science

Write a reflection (500 words) about what you learned about hands-on manipulatives in mathematics and describe the ways that you currently utilize hands-on manipulatives in your instruction. Reference the reading and your teaching experience to support your ideas.

Questions to consider in your reflection:

How can hands-on manipulatives be used to strengthen student understanding and mathematical reasoning?
Why is it important for students to use hands-on manipulatives in their instruction? How does this relate to your teaching experience?

Lesson 2: Discussion on Benefits of Hands-On Manipulatives

Directions: Post your initial reflection to the discussion board on Padlet. Ask a question to the end of the reflection to help enhance the discussion. Read your peers' reflections to learn from their analyses of the readings and their responses to the discussion questions. Reply to at least two of your classmates.

Lesson 3: Implementing Hands-On Manipulatives into Instruction

Directions: Read the following scholarly article about the best approaches to introduce hands-on manipulatives to your students for the first time.

Introducing Hands-On Manipulatives to Students

Write a short reflection (250-300 words) about specific strategies you would use when first using hands-on manipulatives with your students. Reference the reading and your teaching experience to support your ideas.

Questions to consider in your reflection:

Do you agree that introducing hands-on manipulatives as a whole group lesson is the best approach? Why or why not?
Which of the four components for successful modeling do you think is the most important? Why?
What modifications would you make if you noticed students were struggling to use the hands-on manipulatives? Explain.

Lesson 4: Discussion on Implementing Hands-On Manipulatives into Instruction

Directions: Post your initial reflection to the discussion board on Padlet. Ask a question to the end of the reflection to help enhance the discussion. Read your peers' reflections to learn from their analyses of the reading and their responses to the discussion questions. Reply to at least two of your classmates.

Click here to continue to Unit 2: Examples of Hands-On Manipulatives in Algebra Topics.

References

Garzón, J. A., & Bautista, J. E. (2018). Virtual Algebra Tiles: A pedagogical tool to teach and learn algebra through geometry. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 34(6), 876–883.

Lehrer, R., & Schauble, L. (2000). Developing Model-Based Reasoning in Mathematics and Science. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 21(1), 39–48.

Starr, J. (2022, March 7). Manipulatives in Math: Hands-On Strategies to Scaffold Instruction. Teachin