Walking, Tinkertoys, and Legos: Using Movement and Manipulatives to Help Students Write

Bringing Stories to Life: Integrating Literature and Math Manipulatives

“…Shatzer () explained that teachers should select quality books with literacy and mathematics connections to share with their students and design hands‐on extension activities that further explore connections between literacy and mathematics. Engaging students in active learning processes, such as the use of math manipulatives, can help them connect concepts and integrate knowledge (Clements, ) and can also serve as a prewriting exploration of ideas (Hecker, ).…”

“…We prompted them to select two numbers, explain their thinking in writing, and make connections to the story. Recognizing that writing is often enhanced if students first draw the sequence and events of their stories (Hecker, ), we also asked them to add illustrations. The students were asked the following guiding questions as they were working:…”