Math

While there is a social myth that it is okay to have poor math skills, the reality is that a math disability can be seriously handicapping in adult life.  In today’s world, mathematical knowledge, thinking and problem solving ability are no less important than reading ability. 

THE PROGRAM
Reading Therapy Center’s Moorhead Center location is the only private-based center in the mid-west currently utilizing and trained in the Discover Math© program.  This program was developed by            Dr. Steven Truch (www.readingfoundation.com) in an effort to provide a comprehensive and effective remedial math program, not centered on a “skill and drill” approach but rather a multi-sensory approach.  This program features:

• Individualized instruction paced to the student’s needs
• The program is valid and can be linked to MN and ND state standards
• Manipulatives, language and mental imagery are used extensively
• Each area is taught in a way that develops a solid understanding—not just memorization 
• The program is thorough and sequential, filling in “gaps” of knowledge a student may have
• The program covers all content areas: numeration, operations, measurement, time, money, fractions, etc.
• The program has the ability to address higher-level math difficulties, such as fraction, decimal, percent, early algebraic equations, etc.—addressing math knowledge through the 7th -8th grade level.
• The program has a strong research base and was developed as a remedial math program, rather than just another curriculum. 

Utilizing the Discover Math© Program, students use language, concrete manipulatives and mental imagery to understand math concepts.   They learn how to think about numbers, relate math concepts to one another, and develop a solid understanding of math concepts. 
Instruction is individually paced according to the student’s needs.  New concepts are introduced, while older concepts are reviewed daily until they become internalized.  The student uses their language to explain and therefore fully understand each concept. 

SIGNS OF A MATH WEAKNESS
Grades K-2nd

• Difficulty counting, especially larger numbers—not recognizing the overall pattern
• Difficulty reading, writing, ordering numbers—especially those larger than 100 or 1000
• Difficulty completing number patterns
• Difficulty counting money—especially when quarters are included
• Difficulty with the concepts of carrying and borrowing—relying on memorization of steps, rather than the underlying concept
• Difficulty rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100, etc.
• Difficulty understanding place value and patterns of 10, 100, etc.
• Difficulty with word problems

Grades 3rd -4th

• Difficulty adding and subtracting 3-4 digit numbers
• Difficulty learning multiplication
• Difficulty connecting multiplication to division
• Difficulty understanding the concept of decimals and using them
• Difficulty with measurement concepts
• Difficulty in reading, writing, ordering and comparing numbers in the thousands-millions
• Difficulty with word problems

Grades 5th +

• Difficulty with multiplication and division facts
• Difficulty in understanding long division and complex multiplication problems
• Difficulty with fractions—ordering, comparing, reducing, finding common denominators, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions
• Difficulty with decimals –converting between fractions, ordering, comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals 
• Difficulty understanding basic algebraic equations
• Difficulty understanding formulas