Author: Crystal Allen

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 18

ISBN-13:

The purpose of this study is to find out if meaningful educational activities and the use of a manipulative in those activities might have an impact on student achievement. Using manipulative as cognitive tools should improve the teaching and learning process, and encourage student reflections on retaining the information. It has been claimed that the usage of a manipulative not only increases student achievement, but also allows them to improve their conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. The use of a manipulative can also promote a student to have a positive attitude toward mathematics. The research was completed was an action research project with one fifth grade math class over the course of three days. The subjects in this group participate in program by the name of Everyday Math, which they are required to take a pretest and posttest before they are taught any lessons in that unit. Each unit consists of hands-on manipulative, games, partner activities, and everyday mathematics tools. The research was based off of a pretest given the first day, and introduction to the unit using manipulatives on the second day, and a posttest on the third day. All students were given the exact instructions on using pattern blocks to understand the relationship of interior angles in various polygons. All students were given the same pretest and posttest. The results of my study revealed that students using a manipulative improved their level of achievement, increased their understanding, and promoted a positive attitude to a mathematical concept that they previously struggled with before using a manipulative. (Pre-Test and Post-Test Scores/Changes/Averages are appended.).