Manipulatives

As an academic student, I rarely ever used manipulatives - especially not in high school math. When we explored the different maniuplatives in class yesterday, I found myself resorting to the abstract math concepts that I learned in school and found it quicker and easier to solve the problems that way. However, I am aware that not all students learn this way.

I had to challenge myself to change my thinking and to put myself in the shoes of my future students. I had to fiddle around in unfamiliar territory and figure out how some of the manipulatives worked. I had never even seen some of the tools prior to yesterday. For instance, I had never seen algebra tiles before and it took me a little while to figure out how to use them! Whenever I see an algebraic expression, I'm instantly foiling the expression and collecting like terms in my head. But with the tiles in front of me, I was forced to use them and was surprised at how well they worked!

Algebra Tiles

After exploring the various tools, I realized that they are not only helpful for visual learners but also kinaesthetic learners as well. I think these types of learning tools will be very helpful in locally developed and applied level classes but also in academic classes too. Manipulatives can be used as a way to reinforce learning and promote more creative problem solving as well.

As I reflect on how useful these tools are, I am faced with the reality that not all schools have access to them. It is so unfortunate that it is probably the schools located in lower SES communities that need them the most, but don't have enough funding to have them available for their students. 

Now, what you've all been waiting for...

What is a bird's favourite type of math?

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Owl-gebra! 

Until next time,

The Function(al) Teacher