WGU C109 Task 1 |Passed on First Attempt |Latest
Update with Complete Solution
C109 Task 1
Elementary Math Methods
Part One – Tools
Physical Manipulatives
Gummi Bear Counters
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between whole numbers and the impact of math
functions.
Benefits: Bears are tactile and appealing to children encouraging them to explore with them.
Downfalls: Numbers of available bears may not always be constant due to children being unable to
resist consuming bear counters. Children with allergies may come to harm with use of these
manipulatives.
Fraction Circle
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between fractions and the whole.
Benefits: Students can discover unique and new ways to combine fractions to reach different totals
with different size wedges.
Downfalls: Limit to how granular or grand a fraction can be due to the physical size of the wedges.
Play Money
Use: Allows students the ability to explore fractions, decimals, counting and places.
Benefits: Students can associate math disciplines with real world situations.
Downfalls: Denominations are limited, so types of math problems and concepts and are limited.
Base 10 Blocks
Use: Will allow students to visualize many math concepts and the progression of those concepts
, throughout time. can explore the relationship between single numbers and other places
Benefits: Students can break down numbers or build them based on need. can explore multiple
concepts including area, counting, fractions and more.
Downfalls: Students are limited in how large numbers can be based on physical availability and
workspace.
Virtual Manipulatives –
Fraction Circle https://toytheater.com/fraction-circles/
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between fractions and the whole.
Benefits: Students can discover unique and new ways to combine fractions to reach different totals
with different size wedges. Students
Downfalls: Limit to how granular or grand a fraction can be due to the physical size of the wedges.
Play Money https://toytheater.com/play-money-united-states/
Use: Virtual currency or money can be used to help students understand place value,
adding, and money/value.
Benefit: Virtual currency or money is a safe way for students to count and learn about
money. This can be displayed on a smartboard and keep students highly engaged by the
app being very interactive.
Challenge: Virtual currency or money displays a lack of hands-on involvement for the
students to have a feel of real money currency.
Angle Generator https://toytheater.com/angle/
Use: Angle generator allows students to explore the relationship between two lines and the
resulting angles.
Benefits: Multiple angles adding up to 360 degrees give a cause-and-effect relationship between
angles and more readings versus a physical protractor or compass.
Challenge: Manipulative can be confusing due to the unrestricted nature of the intersections of
lines.
Base 10 blocks https://www.didax.com/apps/base-ten-blocks/
Use: Base-ten blocks can be used to teach students about place value, addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
Benefit: Base-ten blocks are highly versatile and can be used to help students organize their
thoughts as well as helping with regrouping.
Challenge: Base-ten blocks are unable to be used with numbers on a larger scale. If used
with a much larger number, it would take some time.
Update with Complete Solution
C109 Task 1
Elementary Math Methods
Part One – Tools
Physical Manipulatives
Gummi Bear Counters
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between whole numbers and the impact of math
functions.
Benefits: Bears are tactile and appealing to children encouraging them to explore with them.
Downfalls: Numbers of available bears may not always be constant due to children being unable to
resist consuming bear counters. Children with allergies may come to harm with use of these
manipulatives.
Fraction Circle
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between fractions and the whole.
Benefits: Students can discover unique and new ways to combine fractions to reach different totals
with different size wedges.
Downfalls: Limit to how granular or grand a fraction can be due to the physical size of the wedges.
Play Money
Use: Allows students the ability to explore fractions, decimals, counting and places.
Benefits: Students can associate math disciplines with real world situations.
Downfalls: Denominations are limited, so types of math problems and concepts and are limited.
Base 10 Blocks
Use: Will allow students to visualize many math concepts and the progression of those concepts
, throughout time. can explore the relationship between single numbers and other places
Benefits: Students can break down numbers or build them based on need. can explore multiple
concepts including area, counting, fractions and more.
Downfalls: Students are limited in how large numbers can be based on physical availability and
workspace.
Virtual Manipulatives –
Fraction Circle https://toytheater.com/fraction-circles/
Use: Allows students to explore relationships between fractions and the whole.
Benefits: Students can discover unique and new ways to combine fractions to reach different totals
with different size wedges. Students
Downfalls: Limit to how granular or grand a fraction can be due to the physical size of the wedges.
Play Money https://toytheater.com/play-money-united-states/
Use: Virtual currency or money can be used to help students understand place value,
adding, and money/value.
Benefit: Virtual currency or money is a safe way for students to count and learn about
money. This can be displayed on a smartboard and keep students highly engaged by the
app being very interactive.
Challenge: Virtual currency or money displays a lack of hands-on involvement for the
students to have a feel of real money currency.
Angle Generator https://toytheater.com/angle/
Use: Angle generator allows students to explore the relationship between two lines and the
resulting angles.
Benefits: Multiple angles adding up to 360 degrees give a cause-and-effect relationship between
angles and more readings versus a physical protractor or compass.
Challenge: Manipulative can be confusing due to the unrestricted nature of the intersections of
lines.
Base 10 blocks https://www.didax.com/apps/base-ten-blocks/
Use: Base-ten blocks can be used to teach students about place value, addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division.
Benefit: Base-ten blocks are highly versatile and can be used to help students organize their
thoughts as well as helping with regrouping.
Challenge: Base-ten blocks are unable to be used with numbers on a larger scale. If used
with a much larger number, it would take some time.
