Learning Areas
Teaching Standards
General Description
About 50% of dyslexics experience significant difficulty with Mathematics, in particular with learning of number bonds, number fact retrieval, number operations, understanding of place value, recall of sequences, mathematical vocabulary, solving of word problems and understanding of time and money. This course provides the skills and access to resources needed to put in place effective multisensory intervention that can enhance the understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning of dyslexic students.
Audience
This course is designed for primary teachers and lower secondary Maths teachers.
Available Delivery Formats
Format Description
24/7 course access
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
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This format gives teachers the time to trial and evaluate strategies and resources that can make Maths dyslexia-friendly and discuss their findings and questions with fellow participants and the course presenter.
Teaching Standards
1.2.2 Proficient Level – Understand how students learn
1.5.2 Proficient Level – Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities
2.5.2 Proficient Level – Literacy and numeracy strategies
3.3.2 Proficient Level – Use teaching strategies
6.2.2 Proficient Level – Engage in professional learning and improve practice
Are you in NSW? If so, this is relevant for you
Completing this course will contribute 6 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Registered PD addressing 1.2.2, 1.5.2, 2.5.2, 3.3.2 & 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
This course contributes to 6.0 professional development hours.
Occurrences
Sessions
The dyslexic brain
20 minutes
A short PowerPoint presentation will provide a definition of dyslexia and show what brain imaging reveals about the dyslexic brain. Participants will be provided with instructions for explaining dyslexia using a hand model of the brain. They will be asked to use this with a student or colleague. Further reading will be provided for those who wish to read about brain studies related to dyslexia and Maths performance.
The impact of dyslexia on Maths performance
1 hour
Participants will be provided with a list of typical dyslexic strengths and weaknesses in Maths and information on the impact these may have on Maths learning (PDF). They will be asked to identify a student who shows a number of these strengths and weaknesses in Maths and read about recommended teacher responses to these. During the course, they will be asked to develop an Action Plan or IEP for supporting this student.
Strategies and resources for addressing difficulties in Addition and Subtraction
1 hour and 15 minutes
This session will focus on developing understanding and fluency and will introduce participants to teaching strategies that help dyslexic students to see patterns within numbers, learn number combinations, understand place value and use consistent addition and subtraction strategies. It will also give participants the opportunity to see in practice (via video) the use of a selection of manipulatives to support addition and subtraction, in particular those from Addacus, Math-U-See and Numicon. Participants will be given instructions for making a variety of resources (PDF). They will be encouraged to trial strategies and resources with a student and share video footage of them in use.
Strategies and resources for addressing difficulties in Multiplication and Division
1 hour and 10 minutes
This session focuses on developing mathematical reasoning and will show participants how to use the area model to explain multiplication and division. It will provide methods for teaching ‘tables’ facts including use of a multiplication square, reasoning from key facts, using manipulatives, colour, music, rhymes, mnemonics and playing Maths games. Participants will be provided with websites to explore, videos to watch and instructions for the creation of resources. They will be required to focus on one ‘table’ and design a series of activities for teaching it.
The language of Maths and word problems
50 minutes
This session focuses on developing problem-solving skills. Participants will be shown methods and tools for overcoming dyslexic difficulties in linking words to symbols, recalling vocabulary and comprehending word problems. They will be taken through a step-by-step procedure for increasing comprehension. They will be shown how to develop a student Maths dictionary and asked to create pages for one with a student.
Using IT to make Maths dyslexia-friendly
55 minutes
In this session, participants will look at and trial a number of software programs, online programs and games, and apps designed to support students who have the difficulties typical of dyslexics struggling with Maths. They will be required to trial at least one of these with a student and report on its effectiveness. They will also be shown ways of using IT to make activity sheets more dyslexia-friendly (PDF).
Managing Time and Money
30 minutes
In this session, many of the strategies introduced throughout the course will be applied to the topics of Time and Money. Some new resources will be introduced (by video). Participants will be asked to design a short lesson and an activity page on either Time or Money and share it with fellow participants.
User Rating
4.3Latest Reviews
Please note the feedback listed here is unfiltered, and includes all comments and ratings collected.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
08/10/2020
Very comprehensive. As a secondary stage 5 teacher, not everything was relevant.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
08/10/2020
This topic is very relevant to all classes but my school in particular has a high proportion of students with learning difficulties. Many of the resources presented will be useful to all students, not just the ones with dyslexia.
Much of the content would be more suited to Primary teachers. I teach high school and some of the activities would be too ‘babyish’ for some of my students.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
08/10/2020
Easy to follow
Plenty of resources to aide me in my teaching
I now have a much better understanding of dyslexia in maths and how to help those students.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
08/07/2020
Quality and relevance of the content was excellent. Very informative and will be applying this to my work.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
27/04/2020
Relevant to students I teach
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
18/04/2020
So much valuable information, suggestions and programs. Will definately keep as a resource to keep referring back to.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
05/12/2019
Excellent
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
05/12/2019
Excellent
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
02/09/2019
good
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly - Shirley Houston
02/09/2019
Very informative. Thanks Shirley for putting this invaluable information together for all the teachers! - Mrs Monica Sood. - Orange High School.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Tanya White on
07/02/2018
I found the course informative and enjoyed being able to work at my on pace.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Mee-Ok Lee on
17/10/2017
l liked watching the videos that were full of good tips.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Anne Wolkowitsch on
15/08/2017
Excellent insight of the world of a dyslexic. Good strategies to work on. Definitely a course I would recommend.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Pam Newlan on
02/02/2017
I was very excited by this course, and very relieved to find a course which really delivered on its promise. As a secondary Maths teacher I had not felt well equipped to support students who clearly had major difficulties with basic number concepts, and this course provided concrete help.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
23/12/2016
Some course materials were useful for me but other stuff was not new or relevant to my needs.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Antonio Sanchez on
13/12/2016
Very helpful strategies for teachers early in their career.
However — it was very time consuming and needed more weeks than allocated.
Making Maths Dyslexia Friendly
by Louella Evans on
05/12/2016
A very informative and comprehensive course filled with lots of practical ideas for helping dyslexic students thrive in Maths.
About the team
Shirley Houston
Creator
Shirley has a Masters degree in Special Education and has been teaching in the area of Special Needs for 30 years. She has taught in government and independent schools, primary and secondary, universities and TAFE. Shirley has also taught in several states of Australia and in the U.S. Her particular interests are specific learning difficulties, early childhood, education of young gifted children and literacy. She loves travel, reading and music.