I recently posted “time for tears” about my 8-year-old daughter’s struggle retaining basic math facts and had some great responses. I have discovered that she qualifies for an individual accomodation plan and could possibly qualify for special ed if the iep team overrides the requirements (1.5 deviation points below the mean in two categories, etc.). It will certainly take some kind of intervention to help bring her “up to snuff.” My question this time is, should I ask for a calculator in her IAP while we are working on math fact retention in resource/spec. ed? She understands the basic concepts and can add/subtract multi-digit problems with and without regrouping. It just takes her a little time to count fingers, etc., on the facts she has trouble retaining.
thanks again,
anita
Re: IAP with calculator?
My son had a multiplication chart. I would think you could get the same thing for addition and subtraction. The advantage of a chart versus a calculator is that there is a pattern to math facts and a chart makes that easier to see. In other words, using a chart may help her retain her facts while a calculator seems unlikely to.
Also, all the other kids can see the calculator, if she is sensitive to those types of things. My son is.
Beth
:D
A calculator can help your daughter get the right answer when doing her basic facts. It is also useful so that she is not memorizing the wrong answers. She could use the calculator inatially, then as she gets the facts down, she will need to use it less and less.