Benefits of using manipulatives with upper elementary students
"Manipulatives are concrete objects used to help students understand abstract concepts, such as those often encountered in the domain of mathematics. Manipulatives offer students the opportunity to explore concepts both visually and tactilely, often through hands-on experiences, (McNeil & Jarvin, 2009)." Manipulatives are often used in math instruction to help students develop concrete understanding of math ideas. Examples of manipulatives commonly used in classrooms include base ten blocks, fraction tiles, counters, and paper that can be folded. Using manipulatives allows students to see, feel, and move objects in relation to mathematical tasks.
Many students experience math anxiety, even as early as elementary school. The use of manipulatives has been shown to relieve some of the math anxiety students face. Research suggests an additional ten percent of students currently experiencing math anxiety can alleviate said anxiety through the use of manipulatives in the classroom (Freer Weiss, 2005). Manipulatives allow students to engage and explore mathematical ideas without the stress of solving problems abstractly with a standard algorithm. Students are encouraged to try things, change their thinking, and try again until they achieve success by working through concepts with manipulatives. This builds student confidence, problem solving, and resiliency in terms of math.
Using manipulatives has shown an increase in student achievement. However, it is important to note that simply providing students manipulatives and time to use them does not magically lead to understanding. Manipulatives must connect to a mathematical concept and must make sense to students (Moyer, 2001). Students who relate their thinking to what they are using as manipulatives will show a more thorough foundation of the concept, which they can then build upon as they progress through the stages of understanding.