Math Probes

1. Does the difficulty relate to basic math skills, such one-to-one correspondence, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division calculations?

2. Does the difficulty relate to a words problem?

3. Is the problem due to the fact that the student cannot do calculations well affecting solving word problems also? If the problem is in basic math and problem solving/word problems, then you should look at strategies in both areas.

Click on the link for the area on which you want to concentrate.

Math To Dos

 1. Model and discuss how you are doing a problem as it is being taught. Students often do better as they hear the teacher “thinking aloud” when doing a problem for the whole class or small group.
2. Teach concepts in chunks when possible. This allows all students to grasp the concept you are teaching.
3. When teaching struggling students have the problems copied for them. Do not require them to copy the problem. Then they can focus on the math skill at hand and not the copying skill.
4. Be sure the student’s math errors are not due to a student’s reading disability.
5. Teach reinforcement and corrective feedback for fluency.
6. Teach Concrete-Representational-Abstract Instruction.
7. Use direct/explicit Instruction.
8. Demonstration Plus Permanent Model.
9. Verbalization while problem solving.
10. Teach students to look at the big ideas.
11. Teach students metacognitive strategies: self-monitoring, self-instruction.
12. Use computer-assisted Instruction.
13. Monitor student progress.
14. Teach skills to mastery.
15. Use authentic context.
16. Use cooperative learning.
17. Use Peer Tutoring.