Benefits of Math Manipulatives

Benefits of Math Manipulatives

What is a math manipulative?

Mathematical manipulatives are objects that are used to help make abstract mathematical concepts concrete by allowing students to construct and manipulate tangible materials. Math manipulatives allow students to "do" math, and make the classroom environment a hands-on zone. Today, manipulatives can be created by teachers, purchased through educational supply companies, or virtual applets that are available online. Some examples include pattern blocks, dice, and Cuisenaire rods. If you are looking for a more complete list of math manipulatives click here.

What are the benefits of utilizing math manipulatives?

As research into learning theories suggests, math classrooms need to be places where students are able to construct and discover mathematical concepts in a hands-on, meaningful, and connected ways (NCREL, 1995). Manipulatives are a great tool to allow for this because they allow students to create concrete representations of abstract concepts as they form their own mathematical understandings (Burns, N.D).

Previously, mathematics was taught in using rote algoritms and drill type activities to teach mastery of concepts with little conceptual understanding. Today, we know that students learn best when the concepts are connected to previous knowledge and real world examples. Manipulatives allow for students to make connections between mathematical concepts and develop problem solving skills as students are challenege to strech their thinking further than before (Burns, N.D).

Manipulatives also make math more interesting and enjoyable for students and teachers. Students like using manipulatives because they are interactive, colourful, and motivating, all positive outcomes from a teachers perspective (Burns, N.D). For teachers, they also make planning math lessons more interesting as they can be creative in their application of manipulatives, and assist in reaching all types of learners.

I thought math manipulatives were only for primary classrooms. Why should I utilize them in the junior grades?

Many teacher have a notion that manipulatives are only for use in primary classrooms, and students develop a stigma that manipulatives are only for the young kids, or for the kids that don't understand the concepts quickly. Based on the work of Piaget and cognitive development, children between the ages of 7-11 are in the "Concrete Operational" stage and most are still not able to fully process abstract concepts (Piaget, N.D). This makes the use of manipulatives for this age group critical to developing conceptual understanding that is necessary for more complex mathematical concepts.

How can I implement the use of manipulatives in my math classroom?

Marilyn Burns has been promoting the use of manipulatives in the math classroom for over 30 years. In her article "7 Musts for Using Manipulatives" she highlights the strategies that she has found most successful for utilizing manipulatives in the classroom.

The strategy that I have found must useful in my classroom was to organize the manipulatives in a method that allowed students to have clear access to using them when they required them. This means that they are at the front of my classroom, organized in bins, with pictures on the outside so that all students know the contents of each bin. Once the students are familiar with this system, they will utilize them more effectively.