Monday, April 21, 2014

Tools for Math concepts, math skills, and problem solving

It is essential for students to learn math concepts jut as they learn math computation. Learning math concepts helps students transfer previously learned procedures to more advanced procedures and skills. To help students understand math concepts, experts agree that the use of manipulative help all students, not just students with disabilities. Manipulatives help all students understand even the most abstract of math concepts. Imagine trying to teach regrouping in subtraction, without the use of ones and ten blocks!? Both concrete and virtual manipulatives are useful for establishing an understanding of a math concept or problem solving. In order to make sure that students get the most out of the manipulative, the teacher must understand the use and how the student can access the manipulative. For students with a fine motor disability, it may be harder for them to access standard manipulatives available in the classroom. Luckily, there virtual applications that can provide access to manipulatives online/on the computer.

National Library of Virtual MAnipulatives- This site is operated by Utah State University and provides access to a number of virtual manipulatives for all levels and concepts in math, from base ten blocks, to fractions, to geometric shapes to measurement.

Math Playground is another resource to help support math concepts and problem solving. there are free online activities that are separated into math categories.

Destination Math is a Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology resource that helps to develop skills in math reasoning and understanding and problem solving for students in K-12. It provides step-by-step instruction and opportunities to practice skills.

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