Everyday Math®Everyday Math®and theand the

Special Needs Special Needs StudentStudent

Everyday Math®Everyday Math®and theand the

Special Needs Special Needs StudentStudent

Everyday Math Traditional SpEd Math

Enhances understanding of basic facts

Provides a broad scope and sequence of math concepts

Develops ability to switch gears

Promotes authentic mathematical vocabulary development

Provides drill on basic facts

Limits mathematical concepts

Assumes students can’t switch gears

Restricts mathematical vocabulary development

Everyday Math Traditional SpEd Math

Allows multiple opportunities to learn concepts

Identifies alternative algorithms

Develops independent math learners

Creates missed opportunities for new students not developmentally ready

Has a one-size-fits-all approach

Reinforces teacher-dependent math learners

Concerns• Too much language

• Moves too fast

• Math boxes switch from one operation to another

• Students won’t be able to do higher level skills when they don’t even know the basics

These Concerns…Are issues? YesAre obstacles? No!

These very issues make Everyday Math a superior program for students with special needs

Routines in EM• Math Messages

• Reading a thermometer

• Practicing basic facts

• Reading the calendar

• Telling time

• “What’s My Rule?”

Vocabulary and Reading Level

Vocabulary models

- definition

- vocabulary word (spelling)

- use in sentence

Word wall

Reading with a partner, read round robin, or be read to

Learning Basic Facts

• Slide show using computer software– visual

• Say whole problem out loud, not just the answer– auditory

• Humorous stories, rhymes, music

• Skip counting

Math tools

• Calculators

• Geometry templates

• Number lines and number grids

Math Boxes• Easily modified

– give students more information– do only some independently, others with

partner or whole group

• Provide “Math Box Seminars”

A General Educator’s Perspective

Everyday Mathematics is a very easy program to modify for all students in any classroom. I have found that many of my students have become very successful with math concepts that they never would have experienced with the traditional math program. With Everyday Mathematics ALL students can be successful with MANY mathematical concepts.

“Everyday Mathematics and the Special Needs Student”

Cindy Vann, Linda Comfort, LeAnne Heflin

Teacherlink, Vol. 11, No. 1 Fall 2002

A Special Educator’s Perspective

Positive Aspects of Everyday Mathematics

Student Reference Book

contains “hurdle helps” => cue cards such as multiplication charts, definitions of vocabulary words, step-by-step processes

a tool for practice in study skills, using index and glossary

Positive Aspects of Everyday Mathematics

Alternative Algorithms

- long division

- multiplication of three digit numbers

- rates and proportions

“I have had students excel in areas of math I would not have thought possible before.”

Positive Aspects of Everyday Mathematics

No longer do students work on a skill in one unit and once that unit is done, forget that skill until the reach the same unit the next year.

With the spiral approach, students work on skills repeatedly.

For more information:

Visit the University of Chicago Everyday Mathematics Center web sitehttp://everydaymath.uchicago.edu

and the publisher’s web sitehttp://wrightgroup.com

and click on Everyday Mathematics