Understanding of contemporary perspectives/pedagogical approaches
Sample Solution
Age Group: Early Childhood (3-5 years old)
Curriculum Link:
- Australian Curriculum: Mathematics - Number and Algebra: Number and place value
Activity Explanation:
Resource: Concrete materials, such as blocks, beads, or other small objects.
Learning Space: Indoors or outdoors.
Activity:
Students will use concrete materials to represent and compare numbers. For example, they could use blocks to represent the numbers 1-10 and then compare the quantities by lining up the blocks next to each other. Or, they could use beads to represent different numbers on a string and then compare the two quantities by counting the beads on each string.
Full Answer Section
Instructions:
- Gather a variety of concrete materials, such as blocks, beads, or other small objects.
- Set up the learning space by placing the concrete materials on a table or on the floor.
- Invite students to come to the learning space and choose some concrete materials to work with.
- Ask students to use the concrete materials to represent and compare numbers. For example, they could use blocks to represent the numbers 1-10 and then compare the quantities by lining up the blocks next to each other. Or, they could use beads to represent different numbers on a string and then compare the two quantities by counting the beads on each string.
- Encourage students to talk to each other about what they are doing and to share their strategies for representing and comparing numbers.
Variations:
- Students could use concrete materials to represent and compare numbers 11-20.
- Students could use concrete materials to represent and compare numbers greater than 20.
- Students could use concrete materials to represent and compare fractions.
Assessment:
- Observe students as they use concrete materials to represent and compare numbers.
- Ask students questions about what they are doing and how they are comparing numbers.
- Have students explain their strategies for representing and comparing numbers to their classmates.
Benefits of the Activity:
This activity helps students to develop their understanding of number and place value. It also helps them to develop their problem-solving skills and their ability to communicate their mathematical thinking.
Using ICT in Maths:
For an ICT-enhanced version of this activity, students could use a number line app to represent and compare numbers. They could also use a counting app to help them count the concrete materials that they are using.
Learning Environment:
This activity can be done indoors or outdoors. If done outdoors, students could use natural materials, such as rocks or sticks, to represent numbers.
Conclusion:
This activity is a fun and engaging way for young children to learn about number and place value. It is also a versatile activity that can be adapted to meet the needs of all learners.