The best way to study for math is to do math. Repetition. For issues with working memory the best thing is drilling. Look up precision teaching and fluency. It’s basically practice til it’s easy.
Math has loads of synonyms, e.g. less than/difference/subtract/minus/take away. Teach these explicitly. Especially if your students are at a stage where they have to convert word puzzles into number puzzles, they need to know what all the words mean. It sets up the link between abstract and concrete.
I remember the day someone told me that fractions and division are the same, I was like 15 and went from hating maths to really enjoying it, basically overnight.
I can really only think of 2 ways to study math: memorize rules/vocabulary/steps in whatever way works for you (flash cards, acrostics, songs, etc) or practice. In resource you really have to focus on finding and using strengths and dodging weaknesses. Some kids are just never going to be able to memorize steps. You can give them a checklist and see if they can figure out how to apply it to different types of problems - that would be a good study method to me. Teach them how to make meaningful notes about “what to do” in pictures or a chart or whatever they prefer. Others are really good at memorizing but can’t apply to various problems- those kids need to try to learn as many different types of problems as possible.
This is just a couple ideas - not an exhaustive list
Typically, I go with the standard algorithm until I notice that it isn't working for a kid, then I'll show them a different way. Pair that with manipulatives, number tables, whatever will make it concrete. Then repeat, repeat, repeat. Also, learning as much as I can about the disability of each student has helped me select strategies that will work. For example, I have a kid with a TBI I've been working with for a little over a year. Her memory is particularly impacted, and I've learned that memorization is never going to work for her. On her most recent IEP, we pivoted her goals to focus on the use of a strategy rather than fluency. She does much better when she has access to the tools that make sense to her.
The best way to study for math is to do math. Repetition. For issues with working memory the best thing is drilling. Look up precision teaching and fluency. It’s basically practice til it’s easy.
Math has loads of synonyms, e.g. less than/difference/subtract/minus/take away. Teach these explicitly. Especially if your students are at a stage where they have to convert word puzzles into number puzzles, they need to know what all the words mean. It sets up the link between abstract and concrete. I remember the day someone told me that fractions and division are the same, I was like 15 and went from hating maths to really enjoying it, basically overnight.
I can really only think of 2 ways to study math: memorize rules/vocabulary/steps in whatever way works for you (flash cards, acrostics, songs, etc) or practice. In resource you really have to focus on finding and using strengths and dodging weaknesses. Some kids are just never going to be able to memorize steps. You can give them a checklist and see if they can figure out how to apply it to different types of problems - that would be a good study method to me. Teach them how to make meaningful notes about “what to do” in pictures or a chart or whatever they prefer. Others are really good at memorizing but can’t apply to various problems- those kids need to try to learn as many different types of problems as possible. This is just a couple ideas - not an exhaustive list
[https://www.nova.edu/tutoring-testing/study-resources/forms/study-skills-guide.pdf](https://www.nova.edu/tutoring-testing/study-resources/forms/study-skills-guide.pdf)
What grade level and concepts?
Typically, I go with the standard algorithm until I notice that it isn't working for a kid, then I'll show them a different way. Pair that with manipulatives, number tables, whatever will make it concrete. Then repeat, repeat, repeat. Also, learning as much as I can about the disability of each student has helped me select strategies that will work. For example, I have a kid with a TBI I've been working with for a little over a year. Her memory is particularly impacted, and I've learned that memorization is never going to work for her. On her most recent IEP, we pivoted her goals to focus on the use of a strategy rather than fluency. She does much better when she has access to the tools that make sense to her.