The grants being requested are low Tech, Engineering and Math Manipulatives for Kindergarten. The manipulatives include but are not limited to polyhedral dice, pattern block sets, tangram puzzles, self- correcting number puzzles, number line magnets, adding abacus and STEM Kits. There are 48 different manipulatives being requested as part of the grant.
Science, Low Tech and Math manipulatives advance equity by providing teachers with high-quality materials and tools to ensure students build a conceptual understanding of mathematics. Kindergarten students will be able to model their mathematical thinking and create a sense of mathematical reasoning. In turn increasing student interaction and communication about science and math. Kinesthetic learning is the most successful way of learning for Kindergarten students. The grant funded materials will be most beneficial for disadvantaged students and students who have not attended early education.
The success of the program will be determined by our beginning, middle and end of year math assessments as well as teacher-designed project and activity-based assessments. Through these assessments we will determine students' understanding of units. The manipulatives will enhance our classroom by providing engaging hands-on learning. These materials will be used with direct guided instruction with the target being that students can use them with support in small groups.
We will use the grant immediately and daily in conjunction with direct math instruction. The majority of the manipulatives are self correcting. When the students have a small margin of error, the goal would be to have students work independently in pairs. The manipulatives were selected in alignment with the Mathematics Common Core State Standards.
Yes, we can share the grant with support faculty at Kings Beach Elementary. Support staff includes but is not limited to speech, special education, Instructional Assistants.
There are three separate TWBI Immersion Kindergarten Classrooms, this year 2 of the 3 classrooms have a new/returning teachers to our grade level.