CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
Theme I: Experiencing Learning
Unit 3: Growth and Development
Making Manipulatives
*Mandatory activity
Objective: Students will be able to design a manipulative or game suitable for
hands-on/kinesthetic learning for preschool or elementary school children.
Essential Question: How do manipulatives facilitate learning?
Activities:
1. Distribute the handout titled “Instructions for Making Manipulatives,” and discuss it with
your students. As individuals or as pairs, Cadets will design an instructional product that
will involve tactile/kinesthetic learning. It will be designed to be touched, handled, moved,
or manipulated in some way as part of the learning process.
2. Students will provide demonstrations of their manipulatives and let their peers “field test”
them. If time permits, your class may want to visit a preschool or elementary school where
Cadets see children use their manipulatives for learning.
Materials:
• Materials will vary, according to the students’ self-made manipulatives
• Handout: “Instructions for Making Manipulatives”
Assessment:
You may use the rubric to assess manipulatives that is included.
Time:
15 minutes to explain the assignment; 3 days outside of class to work on
assignment; one class period for presentations of manipulatives/games
Standard:
I.3.5: Students will apply an understanding or knowledge of the developmental changes
of learners.
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