Activities to Help Special Education Children Learn Simple Math

SImple activities for math can break down difficult concepts.

Special-needs children who require help with math are often referred to as having Dyscalculia. This term defines a fairly wide range of learning problems involving math. These math disabilities differ from one child to the next and affect children in different degrees. Activities to help special-education children learn simple math are developed with these thoughts in mind.

Calendar Math

This activity uses the date on the calendar and some coins to show the relationship between numbers and money. Students use 1 quarter, 3 dimes, 6 nickels and 30 pennies to count out the chosen date on a calendar. For instance, if the date is Oct 26, 2011, students could choose to use a quarter and one penny to show the date.

Playing with Blocks

Buy a package of blocks and number each block from 1 to 20. Make up a series of simple addition or subtraction problems for each of the numbers and place those problems on flash cards. Have students pick a flash card and if they answer the question correctly, allow them to remove a block.

Counting Leaves

Laminate a pile of paper leaves and number the leaves from one to ten. Do the same with large index cards. Lay the index cards out on a table and then throw the leaves up in the air. Have the children watch the leaves and then try to match the numbers on the leaves to the corresponding index cards.

Beach Ball Toss

Write numbers all over a beach ball. Toss the ball up in the air to a student. When the student catches the ball, he is to name the number his left thumb is closest to. Then ask him to name the number that is one below that number and above that number. If he picked 15, he would then name 14 and 16.

References

• Ldonline:Dyscalculia
• Calvert:Special Ed Math Ideas