Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE) Practice Exam

What initial action should a teacher take to effectively introduce new manipulatives into the classroom?

1. Teaching students the names of the shapes

2. Creating an activity center for exploration

3. Pacing problems for students to solve

4. Encouraging students to find similar shapes in the room

The correct answer is: Creating an activity center for exploration

Introducing new manipulatives into the classroom effectively begins with creating an activity center for exploration. This approach fosters a hands-on learning environment where students can interact with the manipulatives freely, encouraging curiosity and engagement. By providing a dedicated space for exploration, students can manipulate the materials, experiment with different configurations, and discover how they work in an informal setting. This method facilitates experiential learning, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of concepts through direct interaction. It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving as they engage with the materials without the constraints of direct instruction at the outset. Furthermore, it sets the stage for meaningful discussions and reflections based on their explorations, enhancing the overall learning experience. This emphasis on exploration over structured tasks aligns with best practices in educational pedagogy, especially in the early stages of learning new concepts using manipulatives.