Putting the Fun Into Functions Through the Use of Manipulatives,Computers, and Calculators

For six years, the authors have conducted a series of professional development workshops for teachers in Grades K-8. This article summarizes some of the research from those workshops and gives an overview of the approach taken. The institutes emphasized basic reasoning skills based upon the NCTM Standards and the Kentucky Education Reform Act, integrating manipulative materials and technology. The article demonstrates the integration of manipulatives and technology using patterns, relations and functions as examples.