The Dyscalculia Toolkit: Supporting Learning Difficulties in Maths

Ronit Bird

Jun 2012 · SAGE

About this ebook

Includes CD-Rom

`This is an excellent resource...suitable for use with all learners between the ages of 7 and 14, but particularly for supporting pupils experiencing significant and specific difficulties in mathematics′ - SENCO Update

′Yes!! This book is a winner. At last someone is addressing in detail many of the challenges these students are meeting....A wonderful toolkit!′ - Jenny Stent, SENCO, International Student Co-ordinator, Hankanui School, Hamilton, New Zealand

`Who says numbers are boring?! This is a bright and inviting addition to any good support library...this toolkit does what it says on the packet. A ready to run resource that is very user friendly. Lots of game based activities with clear instructions. Ideas would be useful for students with specific difficulties however the fun based element will help all students enjoy working with numbers′ - TES website

`This book and CD contains a fine assortment of 200 teaching activities and 40 practical games for teaching the basics of numeracy′ - Times Educational Supplement

`Finally, a book which understands! This book is full of pain-free games and activities which show that the author really gets dyscalculia. Things are broken down well so there are opportunities to build up basic understanding without getting bogged down and overwhelmed - and never a worksheet in sight. Now my daughter is happy to sit down and do maths with me. I′m really delighted with this - it has filled a real gap′ - Amazon Reviewer

`This book is absolutely brilliant! I would highly recommend it to any parent or teacher who has a child or children with numberwork difficulties. Very easy and exciting to use′ - Amazon Reviewer

This collection of 200 teaching activities and 40 games to use with pupils who struggle with maths is based on the author′s years of experience in schools, working with dyslexic, dyspraxic and dyscalculic pupils - but all the suggested strategies are equally suitable for teaching the basics of numeracy to any pupil aged 7 to 14.

The toolkit covers:

- early number work with numbers under

10

- basic calculations with numbers above 10

- place value

- times tables, multiplication and division

The activities and games provided can be used with individuals, pairs or small groups of pupils, and the CD-rom accompanying the book contains printable and photocopiable resources.

About the author

Ronit Bird is a teacher whose interest in pupils with specific learning difficulties began with a focus on dyslexia. She qualified as a teacher at London University and subsequently gained a further qualification as a specialist teacher of learners with SpLD. While working with dyslexic pupils in a mainstream school, Ronit started to develop strategies and teaching activities to help support the learning of pupils who were experiencing difficulties in maths. Ronit has taught in both primary and secondary settings, and has worked as a SENCO in both the independent and state sectors. As part of the Harrow Dyscalculia Project in 2006-2010, Ronit ran training courses on dyscalculia for subject leaders, teachers and teaching assistants, later working in an advisory capacity with participating schools across the Harrow LEA. Ronit currently works as a teacher and continues to create and deliver professional development courses for teachers. Over the past few years Ronit has developed a growing interest in making demonstration videos for teachers and parents. Ronit can be contacted through her website: www.ronitbird.com