I have a 13 year old with some severe learning disabilities and a processing disorder. Math facts are extremely tough..they slip away no matter how often we go over them. I have tried using music, rhymes, pattern cues, reptitive drills. I am at a stand still. I have continued to let her work on math lessons…learning basic algebra, more complex math, fractions, etc…but she still needs to use either a math chart, her fingers or written marks to do the answers and it is frustrating. Any ideas or suggestions…especially for websites, books or computer programs…would be most appreciated.
Finger math is one good way, and no memorization is required. These sites will show you a few strategies for figuring out various ones. Use as many of these tricks that will work. If she becomes adept with some of the finger math tricks, there is really no need for her to use her energy on memorization. Then try this – it is a method I used with my classes and it seemed to make quite a difference.
I would write all the lists of the times tables on the chalkboard from 0 x's to 9 x's or 12 x's, whichever was needed. Then I would say, "Which ones are you sure you know?" Most of the kids knew all the 0 x's, and all the 1 x's and all the 2 x's and all the 5 x's, so we would erase all of those. Remember that you have to erase them all in two places, because 0 x 5 is the same as 5 x 0, etc. Then we would look at all the ones that were left, and I would point out that each one is there twice, since 7 x 8 is the same as 8 x 7, so then we would erase one of every pair. What was left was what they had to focus on memorizing, so it made the task seem much less insurmountable than it did before. With kids with learning disabilities, making the task seem possible if sometimes half the battle.
I hope this made sense to you. Best of luck with it.
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Finger math is one good way, and no memorization is required. These sites will show you a few strategies for figuring out various ones. Use as many of these tricks that will work. If she becomes adept with some of the finger math tricks, there is really no need for her to use her energy on memorization. Then try this – it is a method I used with my classes and it seemed to make quite a difference.
I would write all the lists of the times tables on the chalkboard from 0 x's to 9 x's or 12 x's, whichever was needed. Then I would say, "Which ones are you sure you know?" Most of the kids knew all the 0 x's, and all the 1 x's and all the 2 x's and all the 5 x's, so we would erase all of those. Remember that you have to erase them all in two places, because 0 x 5 is the same as 5 x 0, etc. Then we would look at all the ones that were left, and I would point out that each one is there twice, since 7 x 8 is the same as 8 x 7, so then we would erase one of every pair. What was left was what they had to focus on memorizing, so it made the task seem much less insurmountable than it did before. With kids with learning disabilities, making the task seem possible if sometimes half the battle.
I hope this made sense to you. Best of luck with it.
References :
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.learn.multiply.html
http://mathforum.org/k12/mathtips/multiplication.tips.html
http://math.about.com/bltricks.htm
http://math2.org/math/general/multiplytable.htm
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/math/digitricks070999.html
I do know of a group that tutors online and does a great job. It does cost but she does a great job with children that have trouble learning. She charges something like $4.00. She uses webcam and a mic. It saves the parents time and expense of taking students to her. Other then that I may suggest that you email her and ask her about this she might have some great sites to suggest to you. She is always willing to help parents that want to help their children. She works a lot with homeschool groups and special needs children. Dekalb_cooperative@yahoo.com. Best wishes for you.
References :
Computer games, and software often work very well, but do not write of board games.
Games are the best for those who have difficulty doing math in a traditional manner.
We use these extensively, and have found that even though ours have no special needs they still love to learn best this way.
My son does have a friend who has need for extra help, and it really helps when another child plays the games with him, our son has been a tutor without knowing it.
Wesite for board games:
http://www.educationallearninggames.com/educational-board-games.asp
Web site for discounted, and sometimes free computer software:
http://www.planetcdrom.com/free-homeschool/
We have really enjoyed Math Blasters, DK software, Clue Finders, Junp Start, Carmen San Diego (any) and such.
I will include a pretty long list of web sites that have plenty of good games to start with.
This site does require a $20.00 yearly fee to have full use of all their printable materials, but it is well worth it.
You can check them out for free, but it is a lot of curriculum in one place.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/
Book lists.
http://nancykeane.com/rl/
http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html
Weather/Meteorology (the weather dude).
http://www.wxdude.com
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/matrix.htm?
Astronomy
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/star...
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
Mr. Donn's history site – unit studies.
http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/
Free Audio Books.
http://www.free-books.org/
Health and Science.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/
Dewey Decimal System.
http://www.tnrdlib.bc.ca/dewey.html
Free weekly tips, worksheets,lesson plans, resources , and curriculum.
http://www.homeschoolfreestuff...
http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdMain01.asp
http://about.com/education/
http://www.freeworksheets.com/
http://teacher.scholastic.com/
http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ets/Wwwsites.htm
http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100.htm
http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.homeschoolblessings.com/
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/
Math:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/mathworksheets.h...
http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/ind...
http://www.coolmath.com/
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/creekvalley/staffdev/Internet%20Sites/studentsites.htm
http://www.rainforestmaths.com/
http://www.totallyfreemath.com/toc.html
Geography
http://www.dltk-kids.com/world
http://www.dltk-kids.com
http://www.dltk-kids.com/color……...
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
http://members.aol.com/bowermanb/games.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/#geogames
http://www.weeklyreader.com/kids/games/geography.asp
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/
Grade Level Core Knowledge site.
http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/6.htm
Other:
http://www.funbrain.com/
http://www.brainpopjr.com/
http://www.iknowthat.com/
http://www.kidzone.ws/
http://kidsites.com/
http://www.spellingtime.com/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/coolchild.html
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/month2month.htm
http://www.extremescience.com/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/games_main.html
http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_jeux.html
http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kidstuff.htm
http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/index.html
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/index.html
http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100.htm
http://www.nsa.gov/kids/
http://www.surfnetkids.com/
References :
I can think of two programs which may work well. My dd had a lot of trouble and Math U See worked very well with her. It suddenly "clicked". These come with a video teacher and manipulatives so it comes from a different perspective which can help.
Touch Math works well for a lot of kids as well.
References :
http://www.mathusee.com
http://www.touchmath.com
Here are 2 very good sites for Math
http://www.multiplication.com
http://www.softschools.com
References :