Hands on Math Learning in Year 1P

In Year 1P we do lots of hands on learning. This provides us with many opportunities to experiment and make meaning from the concepts we have learnt. Since the beginning of school, we have participated in lots of hands on activities and games and have had loads of fun learning in a safe and supportive environment. Here is a snap shot of one of our Maths sessions:

We have also been learning how to skip count in 2's, 5's and 10's through songs, movement and today we were very lucky to begin using our Math pencil cases!

Here are some pictures of us using our hundreds chart on our desk and our counters to show the pattern of numbers in 2's, 5's and 10's.

We are very clever mathematicians in Year One!

Thank you to those who had the tedious job of making up the pencil cases! We really appreciate it! A big Thank you to those Mum's and Dad's who have also labelled their children's cards during gathering time :)



Miss Prowse

Some more information about hands on learning:

Research has proven that students who are taught using hands-on teaching methods with manipulatives outperform those who are not. It is true for many subjects but most documented in mathematics as acquisition of early math knowledge and skills is the most important predictor not only for later math achievement but also for achievement in other content areas (Amy Claessens, The University of Chicago and Mimi Engel, Vanderbilt University, 2013).

Math is often thought of as a subject that relies on memorization of facts and practicing skills, but the true test of success in mathematics comes when a student must figure out an answer but can’t remember a fact, or has forgotten a skill. Hands-on learning drives authentic understanding and application versus memorization algorithms, or “tricks.” Students who use manipulatives create physical evidence of thinking and reasoning, solve problems, and make sense of mathematical ideas.