Homeschooling Parents

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I did see several articles referencing the benefits for disabled students. I think it'll slow down students who don't need it, I probably wouldn't want to see it taught in a classroom setting, but I definitely see benefits in a tutoring situation, or like Rico is doing, if it fits the student's needs.

I would be interested to find out if anyone has ever worked out at least some of the why this method seems beneficial for mentally disabled students. I'd also be curious to know if there's any data on highly gifted kids and this method. If I remember when I have time I may do some digging and see what I can find.

I'm sure you'll find something. Lots of interesting info. I just don't have the time to wade through it all right now.

But, rote memorization lets you down after awhile. You have to understand the concepts, and how to get the answer, not just remember what the answer is. You can look at 2 times 3 and know it's 6, but why is it 6? I use pies and plates sometimes, if you have 2 plates, and both plates have 3 pieces of pie on them, that's 6 pieces total. If you don't understand this concept, later on when you have to factor, you'll be completely sunk. I do think a lot of people manage to pick that information up somewhere along the line, but some just completely miss it. They manage to give the correct answer so they must understand the concepts needed to get the answer, and that's not always true.

I don't see how rote memorization can let you down after a while. Once that is learned it's there, forever.

I believe the use of manipulatives is something introduced in the earlier stages of Kindergarten and well into 1st grade, at least. That is where the basic knowledge of "concept" is supposed to be introduced. If not, someone has made a mistake.

We counted everything - eggs, toothpicks, pennies, pebbles, marbles, matches, corn, beans - and YES - LEGOS!!!

I have a huge storage bin full of Legos! The toy of choice! I'm saving them for if I ever have grandchildren. lol

I use to purchase Legos after Christmas when they were half price. You know the castles that are over $50? The pirate ship? I love all of those. The western towns. We even used to get their magazine in the mail and order from Lego directly. LOL!

This is true, there are so many things out there it's daunting to select which will be most beneficial.

Yes! I was so overwhelmed in the beginning!

I can, and me too. lol

Wonderful! How did I do this time? lol