Meaningful Math
Math Problems
- Struggles with math concepts
- Difficulty solving word problems
- Often uses fingers for calculations
- Difficulty recalling math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Thinks they are “dumb”
- Avoids math work
- Inconsistent with math processes (can do it sometimes and not others)
- Can’t figure out how to correct math errors
- Unable to show work
- Math homework takes too long
- The student is unhappy and frustrated with math and homework ends in tears
- Difficulty memorizing times tables
- Skips critical steps necessary to complete math problems
- Poor reading skills (affects reading the directions, math terms, and word problems)
What Our Meaningful Math Program Does
Our math program takes a very unique approach! It is built upon the theory of dual-coding by Allan Paivio, Ph.D. The theory supports that we have two systems for storing and retrieving information, verbal and non-verbal, and both are necessary for understanding new concepts such as those in math.
Our Meaningful Math starts each new concept by understanding what that concept looks like in reality. Students explore the concepts hands-on with 3-D manipulatives, and then they translate the concepts into words. The students put the math onto paper after they truly understand the concepts. It bridges the gap between limited math skills through algebra and geometry.
With Meaningful Math, students don’t just “do math,” they understand it!
Since Meaningful Math has us talk through each concept, we are able to coach each student on: comprehension strategies, visual memory, reasoning, problem-solving, vocabulary, and expressive language, all while focusing on math! It gives us another way to exercise and strengthen the student’s underlying processing skills, and math vocabulary.
The math program is suitable for students in elementary school, as well as for adolescents and adults who are experiencing difficulty with understanding math concepts. It is also consistent with the California curriculum.
Since imagery is important for math, this program is often done in conjunction with our Comprehension and Meaning Program.
