Since 1997, The Reading Clinic has offered one-to-one instruction in
reading, spelling, writing, language comprehension and math. Using
research-based, multi-sensory programs, The Reading Clinic focuses on
enhanced academic performance and self-esteem. We provide students with
a safe and accepting environment, engaging them in an ongoing process
of discovery.
http://www.thereadingclinic.com/math.htmlNumber Sense
We focus on developing number sense by
helping students to discover more efficient counting strategies,
identifying patterns, and understanding place value. We help them
develop a sense of quantity, encourage approximation, and to assign
meaning to the symbolic world of math. We help them to use numbers more
flexibly.
Quantity Sense
If you were asked
to put up 6 fingers, chances are you could do this automatically. But
imagine having to count the number of the fingers on your hand each
time you wanted to know how many fingers you were holding up. For
students who struggle with quantity, they have a difficult time
visualizing numbers. Instead, they tend to represent numbers as a
sequence of words. 6 means “one, two, three, four, five, six” and that
assumes they are able to count to six accurately. Without a concept of
quantity, it is unlikely that a student will develop any number sense
or automaticity. At The Reading Clinic we use a variety of
manipulatives and symbol imagery that is specifically designed to
trigger the use of quantity over counting by ones.
Counting
Children
with a solid understanding of counting and how numbers increase are
hugely successful in academic mathematics. Counting includes work with
a number line and hundreds chart. Students work on counting up and down
to 100 by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 10’s and may work on other sequences when
appropriate. Strong counting skills continue to benefit students as
they learn more advanced problem solving strategies.
Basic Fact Strategies
The
basic facts include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
facts from 1 through 12. Addition and subtraction are processed in a
different area of the brain from multiplication and division, so it is
common to see strengths in one area and not the other. We have several
methods to strengthen recall of the basic facts. We focus on developing
fast and efficient strategies. For some students this leads to
automaticity; for others this provides consistent success and allows
them to progress to more difficult, multi-step problems such as long
division.
Time and Money Concepts
Students
learn how to read an analog clock and basic ideas about time like how
many minutes are in an hour. They learn the name and value of coins and
how to make change.
Place Value
We help students discover the meaning of place value using
manipulatives designed specifically for our number system. Students
learn expanded notation and regrouping for addition and subtraction.
Fractions
Students
work on comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, adding and
subtracting fractions with common denominators, basic operations on any
fraction and how fractions relate to decimals and division using a well
designed manipulative.
Decimals
Students
work with money to lay the foundation for understanding decimals.
Students compare decimals, learn the basic operations on decimals and
compare fractions to decimals.
Percentages
Fraction
and decimal work is tied together to help explain percentages. Real
world examples and common percentages are covered.
Basic Algebraic Equations
The
rules to the game of Algebra are discovered through a series of simple
steps using manipulatives. The concept of a variable and negative
numbers are introduced as well.
