Blogging Week 4: Levi Johnson

Using Manipulatives in Geometry
Using manipulatives in the classroom is essential when introducing geometry to students. When I was in elementary school I always struggled with math. I am a hand- on learner. Seeing how things work out visually helps me grasp the concept. In chapter 10, they introduce the classification of quadrilaterals. There are many shapes that they students are expected to learn. I like the idea of having children find the shapes in the classroom or at home—help them see how the shapes mirror things in real life. Or perhaps the children could do an activity where they would make shapes out of licorice pieces. In this activity the children would be able to create all kinds of shapes on their own. The teacher could call out different shapes that they had learned earlier and the students would then construct them as a review. Another activity students could do is create pictures using geometric shapes. Students could cut out shapes using construction paper and create their own creatures. After they have completed their picture the children could write a few sentences about their animal. All of these activities make geometry “real.”