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Understanding the CRA Approach in Math

The Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) approach in math is a teaching method that utilizes physical and visual aids to help students understand abstract concepts. It consists of three phases: Concrete, where hands-on manipulatives are used; Representational, where drawings are made; and Abstract, where symbols and numbers are applied. This method enhances comprehension by connecting mathematical concepts to real-world experiences, making learning more meaningful for students.

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Jestia Lyn Engracial
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53 views3 pages

Understanding the CRA Approach in Math

The Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) approach in math is a teaching method that utilizes physical and visual aids to help students understand abstract concepts. It consists of three phases: Concrete, where hands-on manipulatives are used; Representational, where drawings are made; and Abstract, where symbols and numbers are applied. This method enhances comprehension by connecting mathematical concepts to real-world experiences, making learning more meaningful for students.

Uploaded by

Jestia Lyn Engracial
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ENGRACIAL, JESTIA LYN I.

EE21

What is the Concrete Representational Abstract approach in Math?


The Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) approach is a system of learning that uses
physical and visual aids to build a child’s understanding of abstract topics.
Students are introduced to a new mathematical concept through the use of concrete resources
(e.g. fruit, base ten blocks, fraction bars, etc). When they are comfortable solving problems with
physical aids, they are given problems with pictures – usually visual representations of the
concrete objects they were using.
Then they are asked to solve problems where they only have the abstract, i.e. numbers or
other symbols. Building these steps across a lesson can help students better understand the
relationship between numbers and the real world, and therefore helps secure their
understanding of the mathematical concept they are learning.
Why use the Concrete Representational Abstract approach in Math?
Students achieve a much deeper understanding if they don’t have to resort to rote learning and
are able to solve problems without having to memorize.
When teaching reading to young children, we accept that children need to have seen what the
word is to understand it. Putting together the letters c- a- t would be meaningless and abstract if
children had no idea what a cat was or had never seen a picture.
People often don’t think of this when it comes to math but to children, many mathematical
concepts can be equally meaningless without a concrete resource or picture to go with it. This
applies equally to mathematics teaching at elementary school.

The CRA Model is an instructional approach for teaching math. It consists of three phases:
1. Concrete
2. Representational
3. Abstract

In the concrete phase, we focus on using hands-on manipulatives. Students should be able to
move and manipulate 3D objects to represent their thinking. An example of this might be base
ten blocks to represent an addition expression.
In the representational phase, we draw representations. For example, we could
represent the base tens from the previous picture with a drawing of base ten blocks.

In the abstract phase, we represent our thinking with digits and symbols. For example,
the base ten blocks could now be represented as an equation.
How will I teach to students:
Grade 3 ADDITION
1. First, in the concrete phase, I will be using blocks to represent it. In addition, all they
must do is answer it using the blocks.

+ =

2. Next, make them draw the representations, for example, based on the previous picture.

3. The next step is to represent their thinking with digits and symbols. Make the blocks into
digits.

5+2=7

First, discuss with them what addition is and how it is done. After that, divide the class
into three groups. Group 1 will answer addition through blocks, Group 2 will draw the
representations, and Group 3 will make them into digits.

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