Math Games

Archive for December, 2007

Question: Websites that deal with teaching math to learning diabled children?

I have a 13 yr. old with a learning disability (dsylexia and processing disorder) who is struggling with anything beyond addition and subtraction. We have spent hours on multiplication and I have used every game, computer program, rote learning tricks and drills to no avail. Yesterday, we spent 90 minutes on just the "6" table and today, it is all gone except for the zeros and ones. We have been working on multiplication for over 6 months and both of us have reached our breaking point. What I need now is sites that may offer techniques for teaching math to learning diabled kids or that explain how to approach the process. Thanks

Answer: I am a high school special needs math teacher, and I also have a 10 year old daughter on an IEP.

I understand your frustration. It's tough to work on something for 90 minutes only to have it disappear.

As far as websites are concerned, I'm afraid I can't offer anything beyond the basic, standard, "google it". As far as what you may be able to do, I'm going to list a few things (even though you may have already tried them, so if I repeat these, I apologise).

1. I know 13 is old, but I know Schoolhouse Rock was very good for my daughter, particularly because it broke down the visual into a verbal processing thing. The song "3,6,9...12,15,18, ...21, 24, 27...30" was great because it was broken down into nice chunks. This could help him with his 6's since he could just tap the left for the 3, the right for the 6, the left for the 9, the right for the 12, and realize that he only counts the right for his tables of six.

2. Maybe even working on "just the 6's" was too much. If he has 0 and 1, start there and mix in 2. Once he has that, try 0, 1, 2 and 3. It may take longer (and it may not be successful), but at least it may avoid some of that frustration. And maybe just go for 30 minutes instead of 90.

3. I tell my daughter and my students, "You may not be great mathematicians. I can live with that, but I do expect you to be great people." Appreciate your child for what he/she brings to the table and not what they are lacking. It may not help your mathematics, but if you can focus on that big picture, it may help your sanity.

4. A lack of calculation does not mean a lack of ability. I am friends with the chess club advisor, and some of his best players have been from my program. They don't necessarily calculate well, but they can analyze on different levels. Your child may be the same way. He may need the assistance of a calculator, but what he can accomplish once he has one may be tremendous.

I don't know if I've shed any new light on what you are going through, but I do wish you and child well.

Math Fractions : Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Below is a great math game for the road for kids. Kids of any age can play but kids of age 10 or so usually enjoy this math road game the most because they are not too young for this game and not too old to find it boring and pointless. Kids that are good at counting will particularly enjoy this math road game. This is similar to a counting cars or counting vehicles math road game.

About this math road game for kids

This math road game is similar to eye spy but involves counting different thing you see along the road that are worth different points. For example: Jeeps = 1 point Red chevys = 2 points

Ford Focus = 2 points

Ford Taurus = 2 points

Yellow cars = 4 points

Satellite dishes on the side of a house = 5 points

Ford Mustang = 6 points

PT Cruiser = 10 points

Mini cooper = 10 points

Cars with flames painted on them = 20 points

Classic cars = 25 points

You can also combo the points. For example, a yellow PT Cruiser with flames on the side is worth 34 points (20 flames, 10 for pt cruiser, 4 for yellow). Also there is a nascar bonus if you see a nascar sticker in the window of a car you can add those points if the number is visible so if you see a Jeff Gordon sticker that shows his number 24 you get 24 points.