• Home
  • About
  • FREE Resource Library
  • Blog
  • Complete List of Products
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Special Needs for Special Kids

Providing you tools to save time and build confidence teaching students with the most significant disabilities

November 7, 2015

Adding Literacy to your Math Lesson and a FREEBIE

If you know me or have visited my store on teacherspayteachers, you know I write a book for EVERYTHING even math.  When I was teaching in an autism classroom, I loved starting my lessons with a book, and so did my students.  Of course, I had a hard time always finding a book that was at an appropriate level for my students, but it got to the point I could write one up in about 20 minutes.  So, I wanted to share some reasons why this is such an effective strategy for starting your math lesson as well as some FREEBIES at the end so you can give it a try yourself.

Predictable, Calming, and Repetition

We know students with disabilities struggle with unstructured time as well as an inconsistent flow to the day.  Starting your math lesson with a story is a great way to cue your students that there is a change in subject matter, and it gives them time to settle in.  Reading can be a calming routine especially when it is paired with engaging pictures and simple language.Aviary Photo_130912213848278144

If you had kids yourself who liked to watch Nickelodeon, you may have noticed that the same episode of Blue’s Clues would run every day for 5 days.  That was not a way for the network to save money.  It was actually based on research!  There was a study done by the creators of Blue’s Clues (click here for the link) that demonstrated typical children need to see and hear subject matter about 5 times before they begin to internalize the material and make those personal connections. I had heard that in a training early in my teaching career, and it totally made sense.  So, I decided I would use the same book to start my math lesson for 5 days.  On day 1, many of the kids were fiddling with toys, falling out of their chairs, and seeming to not even hear me reading.  But, by the end of the week, many were chiming in and following along.  It took that much consistency to get their attention.  Of course, by mid-year, they were following along much more quickly, but I always kept the same book for 5 days.

IEP Data

When you read a story, it is a perfect time to work in some of those IEP goals and gather data.  My assistant and myself always had our clipboards with the IEP goals  for each student with us.  That way as I was reading I could work in lots of “wh” questions as well as measure and track level of engagement.  Of course, as these stories were dealing with math content I had lots of opportunities to work on counting, identifying numerals, size, and other topics that were addressed on individual IEPs.

Aviary Photo_130912208368810209

Generalization

Students with disabilities, especially autism, have a lot of difficulty generalizing information they have learned to new situations.  This is very true of math.  I often had a student that could count an array of objects as long as they were in a straight line.  But show them a picture with a group of puppies, and they were totally unable to count them.  Very, very typical and very challenging as a teacher.  You think your student has mastered a skill, but when you attempt it in a more real-life situation, and they seem to have no clue what to do.  Pulling literacy into your math lessons is the PERFECT way to work on some of these generalization skills.  It forces you as a teacher to present math in a less traditional format.  While keeping IEP data, I would have different codes if a student was successful at a skill in a traditional format or was successful in a new, more generalized format.  It was a great way to ensure I continued working on skills I thought the student has mastered until I could prove they could do it across environments, people, and material or stimuli.

Typical Math Lesson

So, what would a typical math lesson look like in my classroom which consisted of students kindergarten through 5th grade with significant autism?  The lesson would be about 30 minutes.

  • 5 min : Counting or other math song
  • 5 min : Read a math story
  • 10 min : Group activity using manipulativesAviary Photo_130911388756621850
  • 5 min : Individual work (This usually meant that my assistant and myself would have to help students one on one to complete a product for the parent to see what we are working on and for me to keep as a data point.  While helping one student, the other students were given access to the book for the week, previous math stories or other math manipulatives.  This would keep them engaged with appropriate materials while we were focused on other students.  They actually loved “reading” these books on their own.)
  • 5 min : Math game

Aviary Photo_130911388376440614 Aviary Photo_130911389472127100

Reading a story to start your math lesson has many benefits.  Students find it calming and predictable, you can gather IEP data and generalize skills to make more personal connections, and the repetition reinforces the math concepts you are currently trying to teach.

Below are some free stories I have used in the past.  Click on the buttons below to download them for free.  If you find this strategy works for you, try writing your own stories.  It is quick and easy to do!

Slide1               Slide1               Slide1

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous
Next

SHOP

Check out my resources

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi!

I'm Christa Joy

My mission is to give parents and teachers the tools they need in order to feel effective and confident teaching even the most challenging of students.
Read More

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

New on the Blog

Best strategies for behavior management: a roundup of 10 posts and helpful downloads

California Gold Rush for kids in special education classrooms

Hands-on activities for rocks and minerals in a special education classroom

My Shop

Complete curriculum units in math, ELA, science, social studies as well as social story units for students Pre-K through high school.

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet. Have you ever had your students write a story? This is a great way to start. Download the free worksheet this week and get your students writing a story about their perfect day. Message me for the link or go to my bio. Download it here: https://bit.ly/2OW3lmQ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
What does your perfect day look like? Give your s What does your perfect day look like? Give your students a chance to describe their perfect day using either their own words and pictures or choosing from some that are provided. If you want to get this worksheet free this Wednesday then send me a DM and I will get you the info. #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #myperfectday
Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior strategy or social story? I know parents are teachers are BUSY!! . So, I pulled together my top 10 blog posts that contain strategies for behavior management in the classroom, home, and the community. Al in one easy-to-find place and clickable list. . It includes: Attention Seeking Behavior: Strategies for the classroom Power Cards: an effective behavior management tool Dealing with profanity in the classroom Picture schedule for home: An effective and easy tool for behavior management How to solve this common behavior problem Escape behavior interventions for school and home Being a Good Sport Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1 Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2 Safety in the community for the individual, you, and the public. . The best part! They ALL have a free download to help you out, NOW, when you need it most. . Send me a DM for the link, or read more here: https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/2021/02/22/best-strategies-for-behavior-management-a-roundup-of-10-posts-and-helpful-downloads/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #behaviormanagement #behaviorstrategies
This year.... I stepped back from making new resou This year.... I stepped back from making new resources this year so I could spend time updating, expanding, and (honestly) improving some older units. With almost 800 resources this is a BIG commitment. It will likely take me all of 2021 to get through my novel units. But I am determined and know it will be worth it in the long run for YOU. For teachers who work with those students who are the MOST severely impacted. That is where my 💕 lies. With those teachers who are determined to do what no one thinks is possible. I want you to have the best tools possible so you can focus your attention, time and energy on teaching and not hunting for resources. It may be a long year, but I am devoted to this mission and these teachers. #specialneedsforspecialkids #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher
FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads adde FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads added to the Free Resource Library. A little ELA, a little math, and a little life skills practice. . Something for everyone. Click the link in my bio. Find this image, and head over. . Need the password? Message me to sign up. . https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/resource-library/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeresourcelibrary #distancelearning
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free w FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free worksheet this Wednesday. The digital version has an additional step for students to complete. ❤️️💚💙 . Want the link? Just MESSAGE ME, and I will send you the direct link to the worksheet so you can use it today!! #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? N Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? Need some ideas on how to make this work for students in a special education setting with significant challenges? . I have ideas on books, activities, vocabulary, assessment, and MORE!! With the right materials, this can be a fun time period to teach about. . Head over to my latest blog post for some great ideas and a free panning for gold activity you can download. . Click the link in my bio or DM me for the link. #specialneedsforspecialkids #californiagoldrush #socialstudiesteacher
I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating a I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating and expanding James and the Giant Peach :). . I have separated it into 2 separate units. One is completely in color and one is complete in black and white. . I also added comprehension questions. There are 3 questions for each chapter (these chapters are so short) with 3 picture answer choices. . Remember, if you already own it, you get all these updates for free. . DM me for the direct link to check it out 🙂 #specialedteacher #jamesandthegiantpeach #roalddahl
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Special Needs for Special Kids · Hello You Designs