Math+Strategies

=​Math Strategies=

As with writing tasks, for students with emotional and behavioral disorders, frustration peaks when they have to work with pencil and paper to solve math equations. Computers and technology provide a neutral interface and forgiving medium for making and correcting errors.

Some students may understand the concepts fairly well, but have such a discrepancy between their ability and their processing speed, that staying up with the class work is impossible. All the "trying" in the world won't overcome this issue. Additionally, they may lack basic instruction in use of manipulatives to learn concepts. If this is the case, these students lack the real world connection to what subtraction and addition “look like” and then not be able to generalize the memorized concepts to more abstract skills in higher mathematics instruction.

Other learning factors such as difficulty with sequencing, or short and long term memory problems may be responsible for difficulties in math.

The link below will take you to an article from LD Online regarding the connection between emotional disabilities and learning disabilities. I think you’ll be glad you took the time to read it

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No Tech Tools and Strategies
In addition to those tools and strategies identified in the section "Consider Background Events" try:
 * **Reduce complexity of language** of problems. Don't eliminate necessary math vocabulary, but look at simplifying sentence structure.
 * Teach **math strategies** explicitly and model their use in your own instruction.
 * Relate mathematics instruction to **real-world** activities

Lite Tech Tools and Strategies
>> []
 * **Manipulatives** - early, specific instruction, structured use and student knowledge of what to do with the manipulatives in math activities provides students with visual and hands-on whose benefit cannot be overemphasized. This link has a reprint of an article on the use of concrete manipulatives in math.
 * Provide **number lines (paper, carpet scraps, pvc pipe,) graphic organizers, checklists ([|ma1-pscheckguide.pdf]), foldables** and **math charts** and instruct students on how to use them.
 * [[image:Number_line.jpg width="157" height="87" align="right"]]a variety of math graphic organizers done in MS Word, allowing for easy modification.
 * math printables, grades 6 - 8 from Teacher Vision []
 * EnchantedLearning.com is a user-supported site and has example of graphic organizer for math []
 * WriteDesign Online - []
 * CBSS site has a collection of concept maps (mind maps, webs, idea maps, diagrams, pictures, etc.) organized by school content area. []#
 * foldables at Dinah Zikes
 * **Raised line or graph paper**
 * Use your favorite search engine for "graph paper" or "lined paper" for free templates and downloads
 * **Math dictionary/journal -** By talking, writing, and reasoning in math journals, students shift the emphasis of their work from finding the “right” answer to a metacognitive exploration of how their problem-solving works. Uses inlcude:
 * class notes
 * vocabulary definitions and visual representations
 * research projects that take hours of experimentation and pondering
 * store thoughts as they work several days to solve a challenge problem of the week
 * jot down quick reflections about what they learned in today’s math class.

Mid Tech Tools and Strategies

 * **Calculators -** Can be an excellent way for students to access more advanced math content when fluency and calculation skills might hinder progress.
 * Moffsoft is a simple, free calculator similar to that found in Microsoft's operating system (free)
 * Premier Assistivehas a free talking calculator download (free)
 * **Neo2** by Alphasmart
 * Calcuscribe is a portable laptop for note-taking & math in word processing environment. Mac & PC compatible[[image:flashmaster.jpg width="182" height="106" align="right"]]
 * Flashmaster is a handheld tool for practicing multiplication and other math facts
 * Coinlulator
 * Moneycalc
 * Ablenet has a new math program called //Equals// with built in AT solutions for all levels of math

High Tech Tools and Strategies

 * **Interactive Learning** (software or online)
 * Edmark titles available at Riverdeep ($)
 * Trudy's Time and Place House (PreK - 2)
 * Millie's Math House (PreK - 2)
 * Destination Math (K - 12)
 * Attainmenthas Show Me Math ($)
 * **Mighty Math Calculating Crew** by Kids Click(gr. 3-6) ($)
 * GeoGebra is a dynamic mathematics software for schools that joins geometry, algebra and calculus. GeoGebra is an interactive geometry system. You can do constructions with points, vectors, segments, lines, conic sections as well as functions and change them dynamically afterwards.Additionally, equations and coordinates can be entered directly. GeoGebra allows students to see the relationships between these different branches of mathematics.GeoGebra is available both online and in a downloadable version. (free)
 * Intellitools Classroom Suite 4 ($)
 * Lists of mathematics freeware
 * Interactive math dictionary
 * 2 + 2 Mathematics for Childrenis a downloadable program designed to help build numeracy. It offers a variety of activities for students to practice basic number facts and computation skills–addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Activities are accompanied by soothing music and a human voice to provide encouragement.(free)
 * **Math Software for performing operations**
 * MathType has three important accessibility capabilities. First of all, MathType can be used as an add-on to Microsoft Word to enable students with hand writing or mobility issues to create math equations with a computer, either via the keyboard, mouse, or with a variety of adaptive mouse tools. Secondly, MathType can be used to create accessible math content via MathType's MathPage function. The resulting web document can then be read with any MathML-enabled screen reader or assistive technology application. Thirdly, MathType can be used to produce math braille when used with supported braille translation software like Duxbury Braille Translator or the ViewPlus Tiger Software Suite. (Free and $)
 * Microsoft Math helps you visualize and see mathematical concepts as you’ve never seen them before. It gives you step-by-step instruction, while providing you with a better understanding of fundamental concepts. (free)
 * **MathPad by** Intellitools **($)**
 * Number Navigator **is opensource software for creating columnar math probems without a spread sheet. (free)**
 * EfoFex **- Higher Level Math - free for students with special needs**

>> [|**http://www.mralmeida.org/math/student_work/math_imovies/04_05/math_imovies_0405.htm**] >> [|**http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=699**] >> []
 * **Online Graphing Calculators & Graphing Activities**
 * Web Graphing - **http://www.webgraphing.com**
 * Cool Math CG - **@http://www.coolmath.com/graphit/**
 * Function Grapher - **[]**
 * Algebra Help - @http://www.algebrahelp.com/calculators/function/graphing/
 * Math.com - @http://www.math.com/students/graphing.html
 * Geocities - **@http://www.geocities.com/ojjk/calculator.html**
 * Grapher (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) - **@http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_109_g_4_t_1.html?open=activities (Can be used to study function behavior).**
 * GraphCalc - **@http://www.graphcalc.com/** (**This is a downloadable, stand-alone application for Windows & Linux only).**
 * Grapher for the MAC - **With OS X, the Macintosh bundles a built-in graphing calculator. You can find it in the Utilities folder of the Applications folder. Grapher helps you learn about math by quickly graphing equations and then letting you analyze them. You can customize the appearance of those graphs and then export them to movies that you can share with others.**
 * **Graphic Organizers**
 * variety of math graphic organizers done in MS Word, allowing for easy modification. []
 * math printables, grades 6 - 8 from Teacher Vision []
 * Inspiration (explained more fully in Writing Strategies)
 * Math Inspiration Examples - []
 * Geometry Web created in Inspiration - []
 * Inspire Data® - Inspiration Software's newest product allows students to make connections between data and visual representations so they can effectively learn to interpret information and solve problems (Product video).
 * Inspire Data® Mathematical Examples- Students gain a deeper appreciation of the many ways math applies to real world issues as they use InspireData to understand basic mathematical concepts such as percent and sum as in this student survey pie plot and to grasp more complex numerical relationships such as exponential growth as in this cell mitosis axis plot.
 * EnchantedLearning.com is a user-supported site and has examples of graphic organizers for math []
 * WriteDesign Online - []
 * CBSS site has a collection of concept maps (mind maps, webs, idea maps, diagrams, pictures, etc.) organized by school content area. []
 * See @Writing Strategies for additional free graphic organizer software and Web 2.0 tool
 * **Videos -** used in instruction and for independent investigation and learning, videos are a powerful tool to help make mathematical concepts real
 * We know that pictures are worth a thousand words. What about videos? A million words? Since many school districts block YouTube, visit TeacherTube. The site now houses hundreds of educational videos. [|**http://www.teachertube.com/**].
 * Algebasics is an online mathematics instructional resource that takes students through the basics of algebra and pre-algebra. The material is divided into sixteen sections, beginning with, "the basics," and proceeding all the way to a section on applying algebra to real-world situations. Students can view dozens of flash tutorials of math problem variations for each topic, as they are explained and the step-by-step solutions are presented. [|**http://www.algebasics.com/**]
 * Learn from the masters at Annenberg Media. Online videos that help advance excellent teaching of math concepts in the middle school classroom. Students can watch math topics played out by students and learn from teacher reflections. There is a separate index of movies for each math strand. Although developed for course instruction, registration is not required to view and use the materials. [|**http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/**]
 * Countdown Math Movies from Loyola University and the Chicago Educational channel. The video clips found on this site have been edited from hour-long COUNTDOWN shows originally broadcast on Channel 21, the interactive cable access television network in Chicago. Each week, the television program introduces a different math concept through direct instruction and reinforces each lesson with literature, manipulative, activities and related computer instruction. Over 30 middle school math topics are covered. [|**http://countdown.luc.edu/index.html**]
 * Free Middle School Math Movies from Brainpop - offered by **AOL@School** [|**http://www.aolatschoolsearch.com/middleschool/subjects/math/movies/index.adp**]
 * Hotmath.com now offers nearly 1,000 video lessons that teach and explain homework topics related to Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, College Algebra, and Calculus. The lessons, from 5-15 minutes in length, provide step-by-step examples of a variety of mathematical situations. Although a subscription is required, you can find sample videos at the site. [|**http://hotmath.com/help/videos/samples.html**]
 * Junior High Math Interactives includes 23 interactive math lessons with print activities, learning strategies, and videos that illustrate how math is used in everyday life. It addresses the following junior high mathematics topics: Fractions; Integers; Percentages; Rate/Ratio/Proportion; Square Roots; Exponents; Patterns; Algebra; Linear Equations; Polynomials; Angles; Circles; Surface Area and Volume; Area and Perimeter; Triangles; Pythagoras; Trigonometry; Similarity and Congruence; Transformations; Shape Classification; Data Display and Graphs; Central Tendency and Distribution; and Probability. [|**http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mejhm/index.html?launch=true**]
 * Math Movies from the Tampa Educational Channel on the most frequently asked questions in middle school math. Covers 31 topic areas. Free but requires registration for usage. [|**http://www.mathhomeworkhotline.com/**]
 * Math TV is an innovative learning project for middle school students where they watch and learn with a video and then practice skills on their own in a virtual hands-on setting. Choose Enter ,Tune-in, Roll 'em, the math topic, and then the episode. [|**http://www.mathtv.org/**]
 * Mathcasts are whiteboard movies - screencasts (screen movies of writing with voice) that focus on mathematics. [|**http://www.mathtrain.tv/**]
 * Math tutorials for Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Calculus. [|**http://tulyn.com/**]
 * MathVision is a website provided by the San Diego County Office of Education, where you can watch the MathVision tutors solve sample problems from The California High School Exit Exam. [|**http://www.sdcoe.tv/cahsee.asp**]
 * McDougall Littell Interactive Instructor is a shockwave version of course materials with auditory and visual support. **Course 1**, **Course 2** and **Course 3**are offered with tutorials, exercises and extra help.
 * Modeling Middle School Mathematics is a professional development program using video lessons and Web-based Internet materials to examine each of five NSF- funded middle school math initiatives. You can view the entire collection of videos by math strand and subject. Each comes with video clips of actual lessons being taught in the classroom, full transcripts and teacher pages. [|**http://www.mmmproject.org/video_matrix.htm**]
 * Mr. Almeida's Math Class - Examples of Student iMovies that demonstrate learning in the math classroom.
 * NASA CONNECT MATH Project - In NASA CONNECT™: The Right Ratio of Rest: Proportional Reasoning, students learn about the human circadian clock and how it affects peoples’ daily lives. Students see how NASA scientists are studying the circadian timing system to improve astronaut’s physical and mental tasks while working in space. Conducting research to help astronauts sleep better in space also helps people on Earth with similar problems. The hands-on activity in this guide allows students to demonstrate how fractions, decimals, and percents are related and further develop their proportional reasoning skills. Includes a 28-minute video that can be paused at appropriate intervals.
 * Spy Guys Sixth Grade: 21 lessons on key math concepts in video/interactive format. [|**http://www.learnalberta.ca/Launch.aspx?content=/content/mesg/html/math6web/math6shell.html**]
 * United Streaming - The largest and most current K-12 digital video/video clip library available today. The only standards-based video-on-demand application shown to increase student achievement **http://www.unitedstreaming.com/**
 * **Online Virtual Manipulatives**
 * ****NEIRTEC math portal****- the links from this site are arranged into 12 categories for Algebra readiness: Represent Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Percent, Compute Fractions, Decimals, Percent, GCF, LCM, Prime Factors, Ratios, Rates, Proportions, Geometric Figures and Properties, Perimeter, Area, Volume, Pythagorean Theorem, Data, Probability, Algebraic Equations, Patterns, and Functions
 * ****SELECT Math****- The resources on this website were created in the Boston Public School District (BPS). The goal of the project is to provide teachers and students access to virtual manipulatives that directly support district math and technology curricula.
 * ****Arcytech Educational Java Programs**** - Ten Java™ Applets from Arcytech.org, (on topics such as integer bars and Pythagorean Theorem) that can be used as tools to help students both at school and at home.
 * ****Computing Technology for Math Excellence: Math Manipulatives**** - links to a collection of calculators and calculator tutorials and other interactive applets on the Web.
 * ****Math Tools at Drexel Math Forum**** - A community library of interactive technology tools, lessons, activities, and support materials for teaching and learning mathematics.
 * ****National Library of Virtual Manipulatives****- A digital library containing Java applets and activities for K-12 mathematics.
 * ****NCTM’s Illuminations****- searchable database of 91 interactive activities to illuminate math standards and principles.
 * ****Shodor Interactivate****- Free, online courseware for exploration in mathematics. It is comprised of 100 interactivities (and 70 lessons based on the activities and aligned with NCTM standards).
 * ****Shodor Matemáticas Interactiva****- Spanish version of Shodor Interactivate.
 * ****Villainy, Inc.: Thwarting World Supremacy through Mathematics**** is a site devoted to helping middle grade students build and use problem-solving skills to solve unique and complex mathematical problems.
 * ****Visual Math****- explore linear and quadratic functions with java applets. Visualizing mathematics is a computer oriented inquiry curriculum for studying mathematics in the 7th to 12th grades. The curriculum is based on the possibility to present, explore and explain concepts and processes in algebra, calculus and geometry.
 * ****Waldo Interactive Math Pages****- 50 java applets for number sense, algebra, geometry and measurement and statistics. Site is maintained by Ron Barrow, a math educator in the United Kingdom.
 * ****WisWeb**** - 20 math applets for a variety of algebraic topics including number sense, number and estimation, measurement, algebra and calculus, geometry, discrete math, statistics and probability. This Dutch site provides materials in four languages.
 * **Resources and Activities**
 * EXPLORATIONS Activity Books for Algebra - various books for Algebra Explorations. []
 * Graphing Calculator Activities from the Center for Technology and Teacher Education. []
 * Study Card stacks-download prepared flash cards on many topics from the resource section below onto their graphing calculator.
 * Study Card Creator (for PC only) Program:The StudyCards App allows teachers and students to create electronic flash cards to use as a study tool for quiz or test review.