The activities are designed to involve the children in using concrete objects that they can manipulate to develop understanding of mathematical patterns. By allowing the children experiences with real objects, their understanding will be more easily transferred to the abstract level required to do pencil and paper activities. Each classroom that participates in this program is supplied with plastic tubs filled with attractive and interesting objects. One tub may contain beads, another may contain buttons or shells, and yet another may contain bright colored unifix cubes. The children work in small groups and are directed by the teacher to build patterns, sort, count, or add and subtract by manipulating these objects.
Children gain understanding of concepts through many varied experiences.
The degree of difficulty increases as the children draw on skills previously learned. Math Their Way is an enjoyable method for teaching basic math skills for all students. The children love this tactile approach to explore and solve problems. They understand the concepts because they can see the outcome, and they feel successful.