Manipulative Reflection

I found the manipulative activity in class quite informational. I had not seen some of the manipulatives before, so it was interesting in the way that I was learning about new things. It was also informational through hearing the ideas of my peers. We were able to come up with so many uses for something that at first glance may actually seem useless. It was great to see how some manipulatives can be quite versatile. This is something that teachers (especially new teachers) should really think about because we will not always have a lot of materials to work with. 

1.      How do you know students deepen their understanding while using manipulatives? 
 I know that students deepen their understanding while using manipulatives because they are able to make their own discoveries. Students who are able to explore and discover things on their own will always have a better understanding than students who were simple lectured on a process. Also, I think that when using manipulatives, the information is more likely to be moved to their long term memory. Students have an easier time remembering things that are hands on type activities.

2.     How do you know if the students can transfer their understanding from manipulatives to other situations?
I think that if the students can explain the topic/process in their own words, it shows a good understanding. If the students can do this, they are likely to be able to transfer their learning to different situations. It is important to assess the students' learning along the way always, especially when working with manipulatives. Posing different types of problems during manipulative activities is another way to ensure this. 

3.     How can you assess that understanding or growth?
 You can assess student understanding using manipulatives in many ways. Discussion is the most readily available and likely way to assess understanding often. Students may also be assessed by completing certain activities where they may have to draw what the manipulatives would look like, write written responses to questions about the manipulatives, etc.

4.     When students work in groups, how do you hold each youngster accountable for learning?
It is important to always make sure that each student in the class is learning. This can be achieved by listening to what each students has to say, having each student in a group answer a different question, have the students each write reflections, etc. This will depend largely on the age of the students. 

5.     When students work in groups, how do you assess each youngster’s depth of understanding?
The students' depth of understanding can be assessed in a similar way. Students in groups may each have to come up with one additional problem, or an extension onto the activity. The students may have to explain their thinking out loud or in writing, etc. 

6.     How are you improving students’ problem solving skills with the manipulatives?
Students' problem solving skills can be improved greatly through using manipulatives. When using the manipulatives without much guidance, the students will have to come up with ways to implement them. Students will also be able to complete the problems in a completely different way, which will add to their skills.