Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) is a teaching approach that helps students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by progressing through three stages:
- Concrete Stage: Students use physical objects (manipulatives) to explore mathematical concepts. For example, they might use blocks or counters to learn addition or subtraction. This stage emphasizes hands-on learning and allows students to visualize and physically manipulate their learning concepts.
- Representational Stage: In this stage, students move from physical objects to visual representations, such as drawings or diagrams. They might represent the same mathematical concepts they explored with manipulatives using pictures or symbols. For instance, instead of using blocks to show the addition of two numbers, they might draw circles or use number lines.
- Abstract Stage: Finally, students learn to work with abstract symbols and numbers without physical objects or visual representations. They apply their understanding of the concepts to solve problems using numbers and equations. For instance, they would perform addition and subtraction using numerical expressions.
The Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) approach is particularly effective in helping students with learning differences. It caters to various learning styles and gradually builds students’ understanding from concrete experiences to abstract thinking. This method also encourages deeper conceptual understanding, making it easier for students to apply what they’ve learned in different contexts.
