Tanya Manipulatives, as the name suggests, are concrete objects that the students can touch to explore and reinforce math concepts. Similarly, visual posters or reference charts, can help the students see or visualize what is being learned. They are a necessity in all teachers classrooms. Some children grasp new math concepts right away, but most need several exposures in various ways to fully understand the new material.
Essentially, I like to follow the ‘I do, we do, you do’ concept of teaching and manipulatives and visuals allow the ‘you do’ to be so much more accessible to all learners. If you are not familiar with this concept, pick up a copy of Karen Gazeith book, Teaching with a Purpose.
Visual Math Posters / Reference Charts
No matter the grade, there are all sorts of math reference charts available to help students have confidence in their learning.
Posters should be easily accessible or visible. They should be explained and taught how to use several times before the children can automatically use them on their own.
Many of the visual posters can be printed in individual format for students with special needs or struggling learners to use quicker.
Check out part of my math wall in my classroom –>
Some must haves depending on the grade are hundreds/thousands charts, math vocabulary cards, problem solving strategies, and representing numbers.
Kinder to Grade 6
Representing numbers can be confusing when children first learn this. Having visuals with different ways to represent numbers improves number sense. For younger grades, try some representing numbers posters. These visuals can work well with improving number sense. For older grades, try single digits filled with their respective multiples – such a fun alternative to multiplication charts.
FREEBIE!
Here is a freebie to thank you for reading until the end : Numbers 1-20 Posters
Math assessments are also important. Here is a a number recognition assessment blog post.