I am working with a 19 year old, 3rd semester Freshman, GPA 2.242, who is unable to get into our college’s Math 20 Beginning Algebra-developmental class. Crystal was home schooled, has few social skills, and has seizures. I plan on working with her one-on-one until we can get her skills up to at least Math 20 range. Does anyone have any ideas on what to work on with her; how to work with her; the math professors have not been any help in the past.
My background is as an elementary sped teacher. I have been working at college for 18 months with a support program for students with learning disabilities.
Any help, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. This is a very neat young lady that I want to see succeed in her academic career.
Thanks,
Star
What keeps her out?
Math is pretty incremental. You have to have the basics (though a calculator can make a difference) to get to the next levels.
WHere do her skills fall apart? Lots of the students I tutor at our college (in the developmental courses) are still shaky on stuff like finding common denominators for fractions; others have the big ol’ anxiety issues. A *lot* can be done w/ 1:1 tutoring though, if you make sure she really *gets* stuff. Lots of my students have learned to smile and nod in a classroom situation — it just goes by too fast or it’s not on their wavelength.
If you post specifics, I might be able to come up with some specifics (and post this on the math bb if you haven’t). I’ve also got a fair amount of assorted stuff on my site (see signature).
When working with a student with disabilities it is important to know their strengths so that you can teach to them and stay away from the deficits. I have read your post several times and couldn’t figure out why I didn’t have any suggestions for you. She may never to be able to do higher level math and that is certainly a problem with kids with learning disabilities. But I would try and find her strengths and teach math through them.