Success with Mathematics for Learners with Down Syndrome

Dr Rhonda Faragher, PhD, Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University.

Abstract:

Getting off to a good start in mathematics can lay the foundations for lifelong enjoyment in a major area of schooling. Number work is notoriously difficult for learners with Down syndrome and this workshop will provide ideas and strategies for supporting conceptual development in this important area. Beyond number work, other important areas of mathematics such as geometry and measurement will be included. Methods will be featured for explicit teaching of calculators, visual approaches to mathematics and the use of games.

Workshop Outline / Ideas to try
•What might be possible?
–year level curriculum
Workshop Outline / Ideas to try
•Why should we do this?
–quality of life
–numeracy requirements have changed
Workshop Outline / Ideas to try
•How do we get there?
–overcoming avoidant learning styles
–teaching tips from research
–teaching tips from practice

Rhonda

Making merry with maths

Looking for some diversions during the holidays? Facing a road trip without a DVD player? What about some maths to keep everyone entertained?! Here are some ideas to try…

  1. Counting. Counting patterns in ones, tens, twos and fives (in that order of development) are very helpful for many applications. Travelling with family in the car can be a time to practise. Take turns to go round the car, each person saying the next number in the counting sequence. You can count forwards by ones, etc, or go backwards. This is surprisingly enjoyed by kids! Our learners with Down syndrome have the opportunity to watch others model what they have to do and turn taking means they can copy.
  2. Dams and Windmills. This is a spotting game. Dams earn 2 points and windmills 5 points. Each player keeps tally of their score. Of course, you can vary what you spot and how much they are worth.
  3. Board games. Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, … the oldies are the goodies. Dice games have many benefits for maths. You can also buy big dice in novelty shops or specialty education suppliers. These are great for kids and bigger dots are easier to recognise. If you are playing games with two dice, older players can practise ‘counting on’. To do this, model the process of putting the bigger number in your head and counting on from that number, using fingers at first.
  4. Dominos. A cheap set of dominos makes a good present. Another good present to go with them is a book by Paul Swann with lots of domino games and activities, available from the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers:
  5. Wrapping. Talking about presents, wrapping is a great application of geometry. How much paper will you need? Have you noticed turning a rectangular box on an angle uses less wrapping paper? If you are really into this, you could get a protractor to find out the optimal angle that uses the least paper. You might have more fun looking at the designs on the paper. Find paper with repeating patterns. Where does the pattern repeat? Can you find designs that have been reflected (flipped), rotated (turned) or translated (slid)?
  6. Tangrams. A jigsaw with a difference, a tangram set is a lot of fun. Cut a set from thick card (or look for them in toy shops). Have fun making pictures using the pieces (there are lots of templates on the internet – search tangram image).
    Can you make a kangaroo using the seven pieces (called tans)?

Rhonda tober, 2015