Integrating Concrete and Virtual Manipulatives in Early Childhood Mathematics
Fundamental Questions (1): What are manipulatives in mathematics? Concrete Manipulatives Concrete manipulatives are physical objects students can manipulate when working through mathematical problems. These manipulatives offer students a “hands-on” (Rosen, D., & Hoffman, J, 2009, p. 26) experience to promote students to obtain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and make real-world connections to their learning.…
Mathematics Interventions for Students with High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome
Fundamental Questions (1): What is Asperger’s syndrome, high functioning autism and nonverbal learning disability? Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is typically identified as the same condition as autism. Research has indicated that there are “minimal qualitative differences” (p. 42) between Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism. High-functioning autism (HFA)/ Asperger’s syndrome (AS) ultimately presents challenges for individuals regarding…
Going beyond “The Math Wars”: A Special Educator’s Guide to Understanding and Assisting with Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics
Fundamental Questions (1): What is inquiry-based teaching in mathematics? Inquiry-based teaching is a “student-centred approach” (Cole, J. E., & Wasburn-Moses, L. H, 2010, p. 15) that enables students to be more active and involved in their own learning processes. The main idea of inquiry-based teaching is to enable students to grasp a more conceptual understanding…
Assessing the Mathematical Skills of Students with Disabilities
Fundamental Questions (1): What are the critical components of mathematics assessment that relate to instruction? There are four key parts of math assessment that help educators to effectively assess student progress and guide instruction for students with disabilities. The four critical components of mathematics assessment are: Aligning Assessment With Established Standards Aligning Critical Standards With…
Effective Instructional Strategies for Kindergarten and First-Grade Students at Risk in Mathematics
Fundamental Questions (1): What is the multi-tiered instructional model in mathematics? The multi-tiered instructional model in mathematics is a three-tiered approach that provides educators with a framework to improve the effectiveness of their instructional support when teaching mathematics to students who experience math difficulty. The three tiers of this approach are: Tier 1: Core Mathematics…
