Picture this: A young elementary student is doing his math homework. His head is in his hands. Then he looks up at his parents, “I don’t get it,” he says on the verge of tears. Does this image, which could easily take place in any classroom, sound familiar to you? Many students, with and without disabilities, struggle with math. And yet, math understanding, knowledge and skills are fundamental for ensuring that all students are college and career ready.
Kate Garnett, in the article Math Learning Disabilities, points out that teachers can help their young students approach math learning by:
Math Apps are a great way to implement these two strategies. Free Must-Have iPad Apps For Elementary Math, provides a comprehensive list of apps. We’ve organized that list, below, into six categories.
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Category |
App |
Brief Description |
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Counting, ordering, sequencing |
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For numbers 0 to 10
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Four different mini-games to teach numbers 1-10: Fish Tap challenge, Spot the
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For practicing basic elementary number facts (e.g., missing numbers, before/after, greater than/less than, skip counting, rounding, and more)
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Little Monkey Apps Number Lines
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For visualizing numbers, rote counting, ordering and physical positions, linking patterns and relationships. |
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Operations: addition, subtracting, multiplying |
Arithmetic Invaders Express: Grade K-2 Math Facts
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For solving counting, addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems |
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Helps number recognition and addition |
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Counting by touch, up in order, down in order |
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Multiplication Genius x19 Free
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For mastering 9, 12, and 19 Times Tables |
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Available in multiple levels and an instant results chart. |
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Money |
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To count, match, and make change with coins up to quarters and $20 in bills |
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Available in practice and quiz mode; beginner and normal difficulty levels |
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Time |
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Interactive clocks with movable hour and minute
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Tell Time – Little Matchups Game
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For matching analog and digital clocks.
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Offers practice and quiz modes for inputting the digital time based on the analog time.
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Measurement |
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For learning to read inches and Metric rulers. |
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Fractions |
For naming simple fractions using pizza picture examples. |
In PowerUp What Works, eight Instructional Strategy Guides are devoted to improving math teaching and learning with technology tools.
Each guide offers easy-to-use, evidence-based math practices aligned to the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Explore the guides to find: a listing of the relevant Common Core State Standards, an overview of the strategy and accompanying slide show, effective instructional strategies with links to technology tools, short videos about integrating technology, relevant resources, related blog posts, and supporting research—everything needed to give students a good start, and to see them succeed throughout the grades.
AIR Informs Episode #6: Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities During COVID-19
Remote learning requires adjustment for all students, but students with disabilities face additional challenges during the COVID-19 quarantine. In the latest episode of AIR Informs, Allison Gandhi, managing researcher and director of AIR’s special education practice area, describes some of these obstacles and shares strategies to help students make the most of this time.
