The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has led the current reform in American education. According to the NCTM Standards, mathematic concepts are introduced and taught with manipulatives, primarily a variety of blocks. Manipulatives are used to teach all concepts at all levels, K-12. A very important and consistent component is a period of exploration with each new manipulative as it is introduced. Despite resistance to change, the reforms are taking hold, with the western and mid-western states embracing educational reform earlier than the eastern states. New Haven has purchased a new math series for the 1993-94 school year from the Addison-Wesley Company, pioneers in the use of manipulatives in mathematics.
We are reminded that mathematics and manipulatives were the core of Froebel’s reforms 170 years ago.
According to developmental theory, concepts are best understood by the student at the early childhood level when given concrete representation. Blocks are used to teach the following mathematical concepts in the Kindergarten curriculum;
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more/less
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seriation
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size
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categorizing
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counting
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measuring
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sets
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taller/shorter
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addition/subtraction
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longer/shorter
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shapes
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graphing
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vertical/horizontal
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left/right
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