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Don't Be Manipulated.
 The use of "manipulatives" has become a buzzword in education circles. The concept refers to kindergarten and elementary students' use of concrete objects - anything from blocks or magnetic letters to complete systems specially designed for use in the classroom - for, literally, hands-on learning of math and language concepts.
However, a recent study brings into question their effectiveness - in this specific case, the use of a particular set of manipulatives usually did not transfer into faster or greater proficiency in the symbolic, written worlds of math and language. (Click here for more on the study.)
The lesson here for parents? Just because something's "hot" doesn't mean it's helpful. Check out the science behind the curricular buzzwords. Get specifics on what classroom methods are being used, if they require special teacher training (and whether your teacher has it), and whether their effectiveness has ever been independently assessed.
And finally, make sure your school keeps the focus on results, and not just process. |
