Math Rules the World!

Funded Sep 20, 2021

My students and I have been using the materials donated in our everyday activities. Teaching in a low-income neighborhood in The South Bron definitely has its challenges. The math materials that were given to my students helped tremendously. We used the base ten blocks system for our place value unit in which the students could have hands-on practice creating 1-4 digit numbers ( ones- thousands). When my students first saw the manipulatives they were so excited. They were asking to play with them and so I let them. I let them get familiar with the tools and use them as they wanted to. Then I noticed that one of my students started using the manipulatives to count and showed another student how to count with them. She started giving the students numbers to make with the manipulates. Watching the students so engaged with one another and having fun while learning was amazing.

After this exploration experience, I explained to the students how the manipulatives were supposed to be used. I used funny word problems with the students' names in them to get the students to show the value of numbers while using the base ten blocks. The students then gave each of their classmates numbers to create using the base 10 blocks. I was able to see the students master the skill individually and also collaborate and help their classmates towards mastery of the skill as well. Based on the success of the lessons in this unit, we will continue to use these manipulatives in the classroom in future activities. Thank you for donating these manipulatives to our classroom. My students greatly appreciated it.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Forbes