Mathematics

[|Best Practices for teaching students with special needs] Michelle Carmo, TEP 547, Professor Torry

The selected article (through APU Library) "Best practices for teaching mathematics to secondary students with special needs", discusses that Learning Disability (LD) students and Emotional/Behavioral Disorder (ED) students account for more than 65% of students labeled in special ed. Only 12% of these students take advanced math courses such as algebra, geometry and calculus. These students are at risk for school failure. Students with LD and ED experience difficulties in "problem solving" which teachers must become aware of instructional intervention to overcome these challenges. The article also discusses the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) implementing standards to promote hands on learning, emphasize a more rigorous mathematical program involving higher order of reasoning and critical thinking and having teachers make a more connection with math and real world applications. Many students with disabilities have not internalized mathematical concepts in a solid foundation and the math concepts do not seem to make sense to students who usually dont see a purpose for high math skills. The article continues into discussing teaching mathematical strategies especially for the LD and ED students. The following are some key strategies: - Using manipulatives is important. For example, using different color chips to teach integers, models of shapes and three dimensional figures are used in teaching geometry. - Modeling everything and using explicit strategy that can be generalized to many examples or problems. -Apply wide range of examples -Frequent cumulative reviews of previously learned skills -Applying a slower pace approach, however use a lot of activities to teach one concept so students can master the concepts. -Scaffolding -Incorporating a specific step by step instruction to help students solve problems. -Maintain a structured environment -Separating confusing math tasks. For example, teaching the concepts of numerators and denominators during different lessons. -Utilize pictorial displays for concept development. The article is a long article, however there are many more strategies that are vital in teaching math to special needs students.