The Nate the Great math activities are a set of math and logic problems that use teddy bear counters as manipulatives. Using concrete objects such as these helps students to develop logical reasoning skills and builds confidence.
These activities may be used with the whole group, small groups, or independently. If you pair your students with older children as learning buddies, using these activities will facilitate cooperative reasoning and thinking. If you are using teddy bear counters for the first time, be sure to provide an “exploration and discovery” period.
Read each story two or more times with your students to be sure they are familiar with the language. Discuss what the problem means and make sure all students understand the vocabulary.
As children begin to work on the problems, encourage them to act out with the counters several possible approaches to finding a solution. You may have a sharing time where children discuss their approaches to problem solving, or have children record their findings using pictures and words.