Toy Theater

Affordances

Toy Theater is an online manipulative website that has tools and resources for reading and math. This tech tool allows visual learners to practice assigned standards. There are many choices that are available on the Toy Theater website which allows for a wide variety of practice. Within the classroom, this would be a useful tool for students during intervention times. In my 5th grade class, students participate in afternoon math interventions. Students could work on a choice or assigned manipulative on Toy Theater for part of their rotation. The colors and visuals allow kids to interact with tools that influences student engagement.

Constraints

The Toy Theater tool is tailored toward lower elementary. Older students, who perhaps could use this resource to assist with bridging gaps in their learning, may see the site as childish and not useful to them. Presenting something that is age-appropriate to students who interventions, is important for helping them practice. The correct site, not a virtual manipulative tool that is for younger kids, will be more successful. For example, the reading section focuses on primary standards. Older students might be embarrassed to use this tool or may find it too boring. Choosing the right tool to help with engagement is important for student growth.