A Study of Stern Structural Materials in Arithmetic in the First and Second Grades

Abstract

This research deals specifically with an experiment in exploring the possibilities of using the Stern Structural Arithmetic Materials as basic instructional equipment in all first and second grades in the Rochester City School District. Number 41 School is one of the experimental schools in this project and the recordings in this paper deal specifically with the findings at this focal point. The time limit has been set tentatively for three years. The first year, 1960- 61, the materials were introduced in one first and one second grade. The same procedure was used this current year, 1961-62. Next year, 1962-63, all first grades and all second grades will use these materials. The present first grade will continue to utilize Stern Structural Materials in- second grade. This sequential order of teaching will tend to give more validity to the experiment since the children will have been exposed to the Stern Structural Materials for two successive years. This research tends to indicate that Stern Structural Materials are fully in accord with modern trends and possibilities as a new approach to primary arithmetic learnings.