Argyll and Bute welcomed Mark McCourt from LaSalleEducation in September for a day’s training on Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract, Language and how practitioners can use this approach in their classes, from Early Years to National 5. Over 40 practitioners attended this event, with our secondary colleagues being provided with a bundle of resources to trial with their classes. The PowerPoint used on the day has lots of ideas on how to use Cuisenaire rods, algebra tiles, Dienes materials and even lego. If you would like to investigate yourself then you can download it here:
https://completemaths.com/platform
Or why not take a look at this one with a wide range of ideas and top tips: http://cuisenaire.co.uk/
The use of concrete materials to support our younger learners is well established in our schools however it is important to ensure that all of our pupils can benefit from this approach and that using concrete materials allows all our learners to develop a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics.
Our head teachers got into the Concrete Materials act as well during one of their meetings.
Always learning in Argyll and Bute.
We were delighted to welcome Gillian Orr from Hermitage Academy who introduced our leaders to the use of Algebra Tiles whilst Maria McArthur gave them a whistle stop tour of Cuisenaire rods. The presentation used can be downloaded below and would be suitable for use in your classes as well:
Concrete Materials – an introduction
We would welcome any feedback that you may have regarding these resources so please email Maria.Mcarthur2@argyll-bute.gov.uk if you have any suggestions or to send us some of the resources that have been developed for your own pupils.
Lots and lots of different ways to be using your Numicon with the Early Years! We especially love the spaghetti challenge! How many pieces of Numicon can you string onto a piece of spaghetti? This also helps to develop fine motor control and mark making so it all fits in beautifully with the literacy strategies being developed for the Early Years! Do you have any fantastic photos to share? Email them to: Maria.Mcarthur2@argyll-bute.gov.uk
How many different ways can you make the story of 8?
