RDF2601 Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 (617606)-
DUE 19 September 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, QUESTION 1: (25 marks)
1.1. Criticise the use of natural materials in developing mathematical concepts
by outlining their strengths and weaknesses in fostering conceptual understanding and
learner interest in the Foundation Phase. Provide specific examples to support your argument.
(10)
Strengths:
Tangibility and Concreteness: Natural materials like pebbles, sticks, seeds, and leaves provide
concrete, tangible activities for children to allow young children to experience abstract
mathematical concepts. Counting, addition, and subtraction can be made more tangible through
work with pebbles. Sensory Engagement: Natural materials engage a variety of senses (touch,
sight, sometimes even scent), which can reinforce learning and
memory. Separating leaves of varied shape or size requires visual and sensory exploration.
Real-Life Application: Bringing mathematics to life by relating it to nature makes it
more functional and interesting for children. Patterning flower petals or seeds in a fruit
can possibly illustrate mathematical concepts that surround them.
Imagination and Investigation: Natural materials are open-ended and
can stimulate imagination and problem-solving. Sticks can be utilized by children to build shapes
or take measurements in different ways.
Cost-Effective and Accessible: Natural materials are readily available and low-
cost or free, thus making them accessible across learning environments.
Limitations:
Inconsistency and Variability: Natural materials can be of varying sizes, shapes,
and textures, meaning they can sometimes be confusing or difficult to measure exactly. For
example, leaves are not identical in size, which could cause measurement activities to be tricky if
not properly controlled.
Durability and Hygiene: Natural materials are not necessarily that durable or
could be a hygiene problem if they are not cleaned or handled
properly. Muddy stones or decaying leaves might not be suitable for long-term use.
Storage and Organization: Storage and organization of a large quantity of natural
materials could be challenging at times in a classroom.
Limited Symbolization of Abstract Concepts: While beneficial for initial understanding, natural
materials might not symbolize more abstract
mathematical concepts easily without positive instruction and association with symbolic
representations. For instance, representing large numbers or complex fractions with just natural
materials is inconvenient.
Distraction Potential: The novelty of natural materials might sometimes distract students from
the intended mathematical focus if not judiciously integrated into the lesson.
1.2. Compare and contrast the sustainability of using natural materials and manufactured
PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 (617606)-
DUE 19 September 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, QUESTION 1: (25 marks)
1.1. Criticise the use of natural materials in developing mathematical concepts
by outlining their strengths and weaknesses in fostering conceptual understanding and
learner interest in the Foundation Phase. Provide specific examples to support your argument.
(10)
Strengths:
Tangibility and Concreteness: Natural materials like pebbles, sticks, seeds, and leaves provide
concrete, tangible activities for children to allow young children to experience abstract
mathematical concepts. Counting, addition, and subtraction can be made more tangible through
work with pebbles. Sensory Engagement: Natural materials engage a variety of senses (touch,
sight, sometimes even scent), which can reinforce learning and
memory. Separating leaves of varied shape or size requires visual and sensory exploration.
Real-Life Application: Bringing mathematics to life by relating it to nature makes it
more functional and interesting for children. Patterning flower petals or seeds in a fruit
can possibly illustrate mathematical concepts that surround them.
Imagination and Investigation: Natural materials are open-ended and
can stimulate imagination and problem-solving. Sticks can be utilized by children to build shapes
or take measurements in different ways.
Cost-Effective and Accessible: Natural materials are readily available and low-
cost or free, thus making them accessible across learning environments.
Limitations:
Inconsistency and Variability: Natural materials can be of varying sizes, shapes,
and textures, meaning they can sometimes be confusing or difficult to measure exactly. For
example, leaves are not identical in size, which could cause measurement activities to be tricky if
not properly controlled.
Durability and Hygiene: Natural materials are not necessarily that durable or
could be a hygiene problem if they are not cleaned or handled
properly. Muddy stones or decaying leaves might not be suitable for long-term use.
Storage and Organization: Storage and organization of a large quantity of natural
materials could be challenging at times in a classroom.
Limited Symbolization of Abstract Concepts: While beneficial for initial understanding, natural
materials might not symbolize more abstract
mathematical concepts easily without positive instruction and association with symbolic
representations. For instance, representing large numbers or complex fractions with just natural
materials is inconvenient.
Distraction Potential: The novelty of natural materials might sometimes distract students from
the intended mathematical focus if not judiciously integrated into the lesson.
1.2. Compare and contrast the sustainability of using natural materials and manufactured
