My students need math manipulatives to help them have a concrete way to explore such abstract concepts. Included in this project are magnetic math boards, addition/subtraction flip books, counters, stamps, bingo, and more.
I teach at an inner city school. There are over 800 students in my elementary school. Most of the students come from a low socioeconomic status background. Eighty percent of my class speaks a language other than English (ELL). Many of the students have suffered some type of trauma in their lives. The students all receive free breakfast and lunch. A food pantry is run out of our school, with an average of 60 backpacks sent home a week. With all that said, most of the students come to school each day ready and eager to learn; to do what they can to change and make their lives, and futures, better.
My Project
The use of manipulatives in teaching math not only allows students to construct their own models for abstract mathematical ideas, but it also provides a common language with which to communicate these ideas to others. This is incredibly helpful for all students, but especially for English Language Learner students. These students often struggle and become frustrated with reading and writing the English language, but math is a time of day where they can feel successful. That is a joy for teachers to witness.
Building, creating, and doing are integral parts of the learning process, especially in mathematics.
The key concepts for First Graders are making tens, composing and decomposing numbers, place value, addition, and subtraction. Math manipulatives such as the roll and solve addition and subtraction centers, subtraction flip books, and decomposing numbers addition fluency puzzles will provide meaningful and engaging ways for my students to practice their addition and subtraction skills.
Ten frames are a useful visual for students when learning about number sense, as well as how to put numbers together to make ten. The ten frames decks of cards and ten frames giant dice will be a hands on way my students can explore these concepts. The same can be said for the place value magnetic frame and jumbo magnetic ten frames. Any big visual that is engaging and interactive will be crucial in helping my students to learn about and then demonstrate their knowledge of these concepts.
These mathematical manipulatives that I would like will be engaging and will thus increase both interest in and enjoyment of math. Hands on experiences keep kids focused and help to make the learning come together.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Campos and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.