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Photocopiable Books
and Aids
for Teachers of Dyscalculic Children
1. Tests for Dyscalculia
2. Methods of Teaching Maths to
Pupils with Dyscalculia
3. Maths Cards
4.
Dyscalculia in Schools
5. Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia:
Schools' Edition
6. Practical Activities for Children
with Dyscalculia: Parents' Edition *
7. Counters
8. The Key to
Time*
9. Maths for the Dyscalculic Pupil - shapes, percentages and fractions*
Some of the above
(*)are
available at a reduced price as downloads from the First and Best Download
Centre
1. Tests for Dyscalculia
Many children who appear to suffer from dyscalculia can be helped very quickly
indeed once their basic areas of mathematical difficulty have been identified.
These problem areas can be fundamental to maths, such as a difficulty with the
concept of multiplication, or a problem with subtraction involving two numbers
over 10. But they can also result from a short term memory problem, a difficulty
with sequencing, a difficulty with reading or even confusion about the meaning
of common mathematical terms.
Tests for Dyscalculia allows you to undertake a series of straightforward tests
in the classroom which will enable you to find out exactly where the specific
difficulties lie. Once this has been done, you can then turn to appropriate
remedial teaching to overcome these particular problems.
Tests for Dyscalculia contains over 80 separate tests. You can choose
exactly which tests to use based on initial knowledge about the child's work.
Each test is wholly independent, and there is no requirement that a pupil should
undertake one test before taking on any other. Likewise there is no age limit
for the tests - they are mathematically specific as opposed to age specific. As
a teacher you can select the concepts that you know your pupils ought to be able
to handle at a particular age, and then test to check that there is indeed an
understanding of those concepts.
The tests search for difficulties with written and aural perception and cover
topics from a basic recognition of number, “high”, “low” and the four basic
functions, up to decimals, fractions, money, estimations, shapes and area.
No special knowledge or training is required in order to use this volume. The
tests come in fully photocopiable form, so that they may be used an indefinite
number of times within the school.
Order code: T1631 £49.95
Available in a ringbinder.
To
see sample pages please click here
2. Methods of Teaching Maths to Pupils with Dyscalculia
Research in recent years has shown that children with dyscalculia can be taught
maths if certain specific points in their understanding of maths are addressed.
If this approach can be followed by the adoption of particular methods of
teaching by the teacher and methods of learning by the pupils, then these
children can readily reach the average standard of the class.
What's more the techniques that are known to work well with dyscalculic pupils
also work well with pupils who have an average ability at maths.
The book outlines a series of individual methods of teaching maths, which is
followed by a series of methods of learning which will benefit all pupils,
irrespective of their levels of mathematical achievement. It also contains
information on enhancing pupil memory and pupil ability to handle sequences. The
methods can be adapted and used with all age groups. The approaches can be used
by special needs teachers in small group or individual sessions, and can also be
used within full class lessons.
Methods of Teaching Maths to Pupils with Dyscalculia also contains
information for parents as well as information on how homework can be structured
to the maximum benefit of dyscalculic pupils. It is available in photocopiable
format for ease of use or on CD Rom.
Order code: T1630 £24.95
Available as a photocopiable book or on CD Rom
To see sample pages
please click here
3. Maths Cards
Multisensory Maths sells times table cards and blank cards which are suitable
for use when either testing or working with dyscalculic children. Times tables
covered are from 0 to 10, and 20 and they come in assorted colours. Blank cards
come in assorted colours in packs of 144 and multiples thereof.
Multiplication cards (price per pack): Order code: MSM1 £9.99
10+ packs £8.99 per
pack
Division cards: Order code: MSM2 £9.99
10+packs £8.99 per
pack
Blank cards: Order code: MSM3 £4.99
10+packs £4.25 per
pack
4. Dyscalculia in schools.
What it is and what you can do.
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty - an unexpected inability to
handle one or more aspects of maths. It has for many years been overshadowed by
dyslexia, and yet the inability to handle basic mathematical issues can be just
as big a problem for those who suffer from it, as is dyslexia.
Although some children with dyslexia also have great difficulties learning
maths, this is not always the case. Research suggests that around 25% of
dyslexic children are actually above average in their ability at maths. This
suggests that there are different factors at work in dyscalculia from those
causing or exacerbating cases of dyslexia.
Dyscalculia in Schools examines the five main causes of dyscalculia and sets
out the methods of working available which can help pupils overcome their
dyscalculic problems. The book contains short sections which can be photocopied
to give out to other members of staff in school, to worried parents, and to
governors, so that everyone can share in the awareness of what dyscalculia is,
and how it can be tackled.
Above all the book shows that once we understand and accept the causes of
dyscalculia we can adopt appropriate methods of teaching to overcome the
problem. Research suggests that most children who gain appropriate help in
school can overcome their dyscalculic difficulties and achieve an acceptable
grade at GCSE, thus allowing entry into further and higher education.
Order code: T1628 £24.95
Available as a photocopiable book or on CD Rom.
To see samples pages please click here
5. Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia: the
Schools' Edition
One in 20 children is believed to have such problems in understanding basic
maths that the child can reasonably be called “dyscalculic”.
Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia is the first ever book that
can be used by teachers working with individuals or small groups of such
children. The book provides a series of activities that will resolve the
mathematical “block” that many of these children face, in a series of small
group or individual lessons.
By working through these activities children who have fundamental problems in
handling the most basic of mathematical concepts will learn how to handle
numbers, sequences, addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. The book
takes the child from the concept of “higher” and “lower” to division by numbers
over 12.
Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia works from the basis that
virtually all children who have particular difficulties with mathematics have
these problems because they have failed to grasp one or more of the fundamental
principles of maths, and it is this that causes their subsequent problems. The
book takes the children through these fundamentals using a newly developed
multi-sensory approach alongside conventional notation of maths.
It is not anticipated that most children will need to work through the whole
book; rather the volume is constructed so that the teacher can direct the pupil
to work on specific topics in order to clarify issues previously misunderstood.
The school will need to provide a series of coloured counters (such as those
used with games of Ludo or tiddlywinks) and for some of the later work, a set of
cards.
Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia is photocopiable
throughout and available on CD Rom so that, where it is deemed desirable,
sections may be copied and handed over to parents so that they can work with the
child at home on simple exercises. For situations where parents are particularly
supportive a separate Parents Edition of the exercises is available at a reduced
cost for schools that have purchased this edition.
Order code: T1654 £24.95
Available as a photocopiable book or on CD Rom
To see sample pages please
click here
6. Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia: the Parents' Edition
It is vital that children
who have difficulties with maths not only get help in school, but that they also
practise their maths at home with a parent. By working through the activities in
this book children who have fundamental problems in handling the most basic of
mathematical concepts will learn how to handle numbers, sequences, addition,
multiplication, subtraction and division. The book takes the child from the
concept of “higher” and “lower” to division by numbers over 12.
The Parents’ Edition of “Practical Activities” links directly with the work that
children undertake through the Schools’ Edition of this book, and allows the
parent to undertake short homework activities with the child, without the child
having to take home photocopied pages each day.
Having their own copy of the Parents’ Edition of this book allows parents to see
how the work progresses and helps them understand the way in which the course
develops. This knowledge means they become more highly motivated in helping
their children and are able to encourage the child by stressing how far the
child has come. It also means that where the child rapidly gains an
understanding of a point, the parent is able to move forward in the book and
find new work for the child, rather than having to abandon the work because he
or she only has one or two pages photocopied from the Schools’ Edition.
Parents need no special knowledge of maths to be able to work on this book with
their child, just a basic ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Parents
will, however, need a supply of coloured counters for use within the
multi-sensory activities.
The Parents’ Edition is available for £9.99 per copy plus postage of £3.95.
Postage remains the same irrespective of the number of copies of the book
ordered. Parents may order the book directly from First and Best or may of
course place orders via the school. Because of the low cost of the book, this
volume is not photocopiable, and orders must be accompanied by payment, except
where the school is ordering five or more copies on behalf of parents, in which
case we will invoice the school.
Order code:T1687 £9.99
Available as a spiral bound book.
To see sample pages please
click here.
7. Counters
For use with the Practical
Activities book. Available in bags of 80 counters - 2 each of red, yellow, blue
and green.
Order code: Counters
£2.99 (Delivery charge £1.00)
8. The Key to Time
Time is the ultimate
sequence, and children who master the concept of time usually overcome all their
problems with sequencing and also find many concepts in maths much easier to
handle. Indeed it is noticeable that many children who have difficulties with
maths also have particular difficulties with the concept of time.
The Key to Time contains exercises and activities that are designed to
overcome such problems and ensure that children have a full ability to handle
all the concepts of time – from the passing of seasons to the use of the 24 hour
clock and the reading of timetables.
The book contains a range of straightforward tests which will reveal where the
child’s particular problems lie. This is followed by a series of activities
covering all aspects of time. These activities can be undertaken in the
classroom and can be photocopied and taken home. Indeed those children who are
able to do five minutes homework a day on the subject of time will find that
their understanding of time develops extremely quickly.
The book is available in photocopiable format which means that the activities
can be shared with other staff in your department. It is also available as a
Word document on CD Rom to enable you to print out sections as required.
Order code: T1712 £25.95
Available as a copiable book or on CD Rom.
To see sample pages please
click here.
9. Maths for the Dyscalculic Pupil: Shapes, Percentages and Fractions
Dyscalculic pupils have a significant problem understanding mathematical
concepts. These pupils can learn their way around maths if they are taught in a
specific multi-sensory manner.
Our volume “Practical Activities for Children with Dyscalculia” uses this
technique to teach such pupils the concepts of number and the four basic
functions of mathematics. It is now used with thousands of children across the
UK.
“Shapes, Percentages and Fractions” follows on from “Practical Activities” and
uses the same multi-sensory techniques that have proved successful in the
earlier book. As before the book comes as a photocopiable volume and requires no
additional equipment or materials save for a collection of counters (also
available from First and Best).
One of the huge benefits of this approach is that it not only works with
children who have the genetic disorder which gives rise to dyscalculia, it also
benefits those children who are failing to grasp mathematical concepts because
of interrupted schooling, home problems or even a maths aversion which has
developed because of early failure. Experience suggests that a short period of
using multi-sensory techniques can be enough to overcome such problems and bring
the pupil back to the class average.
Shapes, percentages and fractions can be used with secondary school pupils
either within special needs lessons or at home with co-operative parents. Each
activity within the book can be completed within a maximum of ten minutes, thus
allowing the teacher or parent to stop the work the moment the child shows signs
of maths-aversion, frustration or tiredness.
Order code: T1719
£25.95
Available as a copiable book or on CD Rom
To see sample pages
please click here
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