REJUVENATING THE TEACHING OF PRIMARY MATHEMATICS THROUGH THE USE OF MANIPULATIVES

Abstract

This paper discussed the idea of rejuvenating the teaching of mathematics through the use of manipulatives. Manipulative was defined as tangible instructional materials which can be used to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics at primary school level of education. It opined that the use of these method would shift mathematics teaching from being teacher centred to being learners centred bearing in mind that it would arouse pupils interest in the learning of mathematics and subsequent improvement on their performance in it. It identified high cost of manipulatives, non-availability of some manipulatives in the local market, non-availability of mathematics laboratory for storage of manipulatives and non-acquisition of relevant skills in use of manipulatives by practising teachers as challenges, while government provision of subsidy on manipulatives, provision of mathematics laboratory in primary schools, importation of unavailable manipulatives, retraining of practising mathematics teachers are recommended to tackle the challenges.