SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIALIST TEACHING

A DAS INTERNATIONAL 10th ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES

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As we all know, the transition from primary school to secondary school is challenging for most of the students. However, it may pose an extra challenge for the children who are diagnosed with specific learning differences; sometimes more than one; such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or ADHD. Mathematics is one of the most feared subjects due to its complexities and abstract nature and SpLD students struggle to cope with secondary math. We at DAS, teach them some simple strategies and use CRA (concrete-representational-abstract) method to help them transition confidently and enjoy learning math.

Additionally, at the primary level, students work with positive numbers which on a number line increase in value going towards the right of origin zero (0).  However, at the secondary level, students need to work with negative numbers which decrease in value moving towards the left of origin zero (0).  Working with negative numbers is a new experience for them.  Students are usually able to arrange both positive and negative numbers correctly on a number line, However, adding and subtracting a combination of positive and negative numbers is a task that is rather challenging for them.  To ensure this task is a positive learning experience for them, Maths Educational Therapists at DAS and DAS International use concrete number discs to demonstrate addition and subtraction procedures.

In this talk, my colleague Aisha and I will be discussing math anxiety and some strategies to overcome it to ensure smooth transitioning.