There are many myths and misunderstandings around the use of manipulatives. Manipulatives serve as powerful tools to stimulate mathematical dialogue, enabling children to articulate and refine their thinking. Using manipulatives purposefully provides the teacher with a visual representation of the children’s mathematical thinking to help address misconceptions and support children to co-construct new knowledge together.
This staff meeting starter provides opportunities for staff to develop awareness of the myths surrounding manipulatives and support staff in making deliberate decisions of what to use, why and when.
Linked resources
Premium subscribers can access four training modules that refer to the teaching of mathematics. This includes Ofsted’s research review into the subjects and strategies for maths to close attainment gaps and become more metacognitive. The link below also includes a training module which references the teaching of mathematics in the early years, as part of the ‘best start in life’ series.
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