Part One: Manipulatives

A. Identify four hands-on mathematical manipulatives appropriate for elementary-age students.

1. Describe one classroom use for each of the four hands-on manipulatives.

2. Discuss one advantage of each of the four hands-on manipulatives.

3. Discuss one disadvantage of each of the four hands-on manipulatives.

B. Identify four virtual mathematical manipulatives appropriate for elementary-age learners.

1. Describe one classroom use for each of the four virtual manipulatives.

2. Discuss one advantage of each of the four virtual manipulatives.

3. Discuss one disadvantage of each of the four virtual manipulatives.

Note: See the web links section below for virtual manipulative ideas.

Part Two: Lesson Plan

C. Create an original elementary-level (K6) mathematics lesson plan incorporating a manipulative identified in either part A or part B. Be sure that alignment is evident among all components of the WGU Lesson Plan Template.

Part Three: Reflection

D. Based on the Instructional Materials section of your lesson plan, explain how the lessons manipulative from part C (which was identified in either part A or part B) will enhance student learning outcomes in mathematics. Include relevant examples from your lesson plan to support your claims.

E. Based on the Instructional Plan section of your lesson plan, explain how the instructional strategies you provided encourage students development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills in mathematics. Include relevant examples from the lesson plan to support your claims.

F. Based on the Instructional Strategy section of your lesson plan, explain how one research-based instructional approach (e.g., collaborative learning, project-based learning, discovery-based learning) is effectively used in your lesson plan. Include relevant examples from the lesson plan to support your claim.

G. Acknowledge sources, using APA-formatted in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.