Gratnells Learning Rooms - What ’ s in My Tray ?
area . Fill the tray sections with maths manipulatives , pattern blocks , stones , seeds , shells , buttons , different shaped blocks , bobbins , pom poms , plasticine , rulers , measuring tapes , lolly pop sticks , air flow balls , dice , pattern blocks , playing cards , weights , egg boxes , beakers , clothes pegs , coins , number and sign cards and any other items to inspire counting and measuring . Finish it off with a balance scale or some weighing scales , a stop watch or two and a simple clock hung on the wall behind and let the investigations begin ! Use of practical apparatus in maths teaching is associated with improved outcomes for pupils .
Always follow your usual risk assessment procedures prior to undertaking any of these activities with children .
Gratnells Learning Rooms has developed an exciting range of activities and ideas for children , with the “ What ’ s in my Tray ?” A series of practical , enjoyable projects taking the humble storage tray and making it a thing of wonder .
As providers of classroom storage solutions to the education sector in over 65 countries , Gratnells has developed the Learning Rooms concept which offers a mix of advice , ideas and content for classrooms , social spaces and the great outdoors , to empower teachers and enrich the lives of children .
Trays can be used to engage children in activities , encouraging them to use their imagination and absorb the information provided by the teacher to learn in a more diverse yet effective way . Here are a few ideas on how to use trays when teaching Maths to children : -
Counting trays – a great way to keep all beads , blocks or counters together during activities . Half-fill ( use a tray divider ) each tray with counters and a set of printed number and sign (+, - , x , ÷, =) cards . Working in the other half of the tray challenge your students to create and work out number bonds using the counters and cards , building the complexity to suit age and ability . If using one tray per small group working around a table , add shallow beakers / pots or plastic / wooden rings to the other half of the tray so the students can use these to keep their counting beads together while working directly on the table instead .
Maths manipulatives tray – never mix up pattern blocks again ! Place the pattern blocks trays and challenge cards in the centre of the table for easy access . Can the children buildup the complex patterns and shapes and get all the colours in the right place ? Choose or create appropriate challenge cards to suit the age and ability of the children . Use tray dividers to help sort the pattern block out again at the end of the activity .
Maths investigation area – use a variety of coloured shallow trays with different dividers and inserts to create an engaging maths investigation
Have you been inspired by this article ? We would love to hear from you , see pictures of you and your students having a go at some of the activities and hear your ideas for new ones . Tweet us @ Gratnells # whatsinmytray .
Author Dr Katherine Forsey @ DrBiol
Education & Outreach Consultant and Gratnells Learning Rooms Panel Expert . Keynote speaker at the 2016 National Technicians Conference and presenter of the Gratnells Science Technician of the Year Awards .
DR . KATHARINE FORSEY
20 | Mar - Apr 2017 | | Class Time