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Everyday Math Program

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I would like to visit with special educators who are working with Everyday Math in their schools. Do you use it with your special education students, are the students in an inclusive classroom setting with or without extra support, or are you using this program in a pull-out setting? It is a new program in our school and, although I think that it has many merits, I am struggling how much/how best to use it.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/10/2003 - 3:13 AM

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If we are talking about the same program, it is not appropriate for special education students. The reviews are not very good for regular ed. either. Here are just a couple of links:

http://mathematicallycorrect.com/bishop4.htm

http://mathematicallycorrect.com/books2g.htm (summary is at the end)

Janis

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/11/2003 - 11:55 PM

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I know of at least one sped director in PA who told me their system feels the approach does not work for their sped kids (among other things, too dependent on language skills and too quick to move around), so they do not use it there.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/15/2003 - 6:35 AM

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ruth,

please don’t use everyday math at all with your special education students. it is very reliant on the kids having strong reading and language skills and is way too abstract for many l.d. kids. it also relies on a “spiraling” component which means concepts are introduced and worked on for very short periods and then new concepts are introduced; these concepts are then revisited, but the child never gets enough exposure or practice to master anything completely.

my dyslexic child was instructed in everyday math in 2nd and 3rd grade; he was reading at a pre-primer level at that time and though he was doing fine in math up until then, he could not do everyday math; he could not read or write well enough to understand the math problems or to complete them. he was instructed in a more traditional math program in his pull out time but was still expected to do the everyday math work in the classroom (!)

everyday math has been called the “whole language of math programs” . the idea behind this math is that kids should “figure out the answers for themselves” and “discover math.”

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/17/2003 - 11:25 PM

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Ruth, please contact me at [email protected] I’ve taught special education math for 20 years. The last 4 1/2 with Everyday Math. I am also the Special Needs Consultant and do trainings for EM. For now if you can get a hold of the Teacher Reference Manual and read the section on Special Needs Children.This should answer some of your questions. I went to work for Everyday Math after seeing the huge advances made by my regular students and especially my Special Needs students. I would love to share with you my successes as well as challenges. (I’ve had many of both)
Everyday Mathematics will be having 4 Special Needs teacher training workshops across the country this summer. Look forward to talking to you. Caddie

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 02/07/2003 - 2:44 AM

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Hi Caddie,
I found and read your message on a math forum. I am the headmaster of a small (53 student), K-8, independent school in Hawai’i, and I am evaluating Everyday Mathematics for possible use. I am interested to know whether EM is appropriate for children who have some degree of dyslexia or other learning difference. Would you mind sharing your thoughts? I would very much appreciate.

With best wishes,

Frank Hustace
Headmaster
Waimea Country School
Kamuela, Hawai’i

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