Teaching math strategies for Sp. Needs students

[Beverly]

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I am working on my RANK I and I teach special needs children at the high school level. My students are referred to as Functionally Mentally Delayed students. I would like to start a new program and expand on the money unit that I use in my classroom. Does anyone have any hands on activities that I maight incorporate into my student of money? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Unregistered]

Hi.

Not sure what mentally delayed means, but board games that deal with money like monopoly and life might be a good place to start. If those games are too complex, I'm sure there are other games for a mentally younger audience out there. You can teach counting, probability, and algebra using dice (x+1; "whatever you roll, add 1)

hope this helps

jim

winged_coyote@yahoo.com

[Unregistered]

There are many games you could play, but the best instruction comes when the activities are meaningful. I have a couple of suggestions, depending on the level of your students, and what your ultimate goal for them is.
Instead of giving out grades, give out play money. For example, $5=A, $4=B, etc. Make all activities that benefit the students (using rest room, sharpening a pencil, getting a drink) cost a certain amount of money.
You can then set up a banking system so they may leave their "money" in a safe place. This involves deposit slips, withdrawl slips, balancing a register, etc. Most of these things can be found on the net and copied, or your local bank will gladly help you out.

Another idea is to have students plan for something, like a life on their own. They can use local newspapers or the net to find prices. Let them decide how much is necessary to survive, and then using local supermarket flyers, have they purchase, daily, what they need or want. Provide them with play money to spend. Have students assume the roles of cashiers, stockers, etc.