Imagine you had a budget of $300 to purchase manipulatives to assist lesson experiences ...

Imagine you had a budget of $300 to purchase manipulatives to assist the children you are working with to understand patterns and algebraic thinking. View this catalogue and select the items that you will use and provide a way in which you will use them: http://www.teaching.com.au/catalogue/mta/mta-mathematics

Algebra Tiles Classroom Set $101.22 - these tiles allow students to view and play with the concepts of different objects representing numbers. The NESA syllabus requires students to be able to “Use objects, diagrams and technology to explore mathematical problems. MA1-2WM”. This outcome would be fulfilled if the tiles were used to represent algebraic thinking. The teacher could possibly write an equation on the board that the students have to represent with the tiles. Additionally, a test conducted by Larbi (2016) found that students who used manipulates such as these performed slightly higher and their thinking processes (noticeably in algebra and problem solving) were improved.

Algebra Tiles Classroom Set

Cubes Linking – 2cm – 1000 pieces $99.95 and/or Wooden Pattern Blocks – 500p $55.05 - these cubes or blocks cater for both the ‘hands on’ and ‘visual’ learners in the classroom. Park and Brannon state that “Visual mathematics is an important part of mathematics for its own sake and new brain research tells us that visual mathematics even helps students learn numerical mathematics.” (2013). These cubes will also allow for students to create and represent patterns fulfilling the NESA outcomes in Number and Algebra “Creates, represents and continues a variety of patterns with numbers and objects. MA1-8NA”. The teacher could ask the students to create a pattern using the colours and explain why it is one. This will also give students the opportunity to use mathematical language and present their thinking with the rest of the class.

Cubes Linking – 2cm – 1000 pieces

Wooden Pattern Blocks – 500p

Magnetic Place Value Arrow – 40 pieces - $29.95 - these arrows are very useful in understanding place value and how the units relate to each other. “Applies place value, informally to count, order, read, and represent two and three digit numbers. MA1-4NA” is the outcomes that would be achieved using this manipulative.

Magnetic Place Value Arrow – 40 pieces

When teaching and preparing a lesson I need to consider the use of manipulatives and the outcomes that they will help in achieving.

References:

• NESA (2012) Mathematics K–10 Syllabus. Board of Studies NSW. Retrieved from: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learningareas/mathematics/mathematics-k-10

• Park, J., & Brannon, E. (2013). Visual Math Improves Math Performance. Retrieved from https://www.youcubed.org/resources/visual-math-improves-math-performance/