Reference no: EM132845713

Assignment: Learning centers provide students the opportunity to explore math concepts in various ways helping them to make necessary connections. In early education settings, manipulatives help young students to interact with the math concepts. Technology can be a powerful tool to teach and reinforce skills and concepts.

For this assignment, interview one K-3 teacher about the use of manipulatives, technology, and centers in his or her classroom to reinforce math concepts. Include the following questions in the interview:

• Which manipulatives, technology, and centers have you used most successfully to teach math to early learners?

• Do you use manipulatives, technology, and centers with all students, or as part of a differentiation strategy? How do they meet the learning needs of typical and atypical learners?

• How do you model the use of manipulatives, technology, and centers during instruction?

• How do you manage behavior while manipulatives, technology, and centers are in use? Does classroom management change? If so, how?

After your interview, observe and assist your mentor teacher with instruction in your field experience classroom. Take note of any strategies used to engage, motivate, and differentiate for students.

Discuss, with your mentor teacher, creating your own learning centers for the class based on the state's mathematics standards the class is currently working on. Arrange to implement your learning centers in your next clinical field experience.

In 250-500 words, summarize and reflect upon your observations and interview:

• Explain how manipulatives, technology, and centers reinforce math concepts and allow for differentiation, including specific examples.

• Describe strategies the teacher used to engage, motivate, and differentiate for students.

• Reflect on how you can apply what you learned to your future teaching practice.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.