Tips for Working at Home
1. Use a colour overlay for reading
2. Use a ruler to focus on one line at a time when reading.
3. Reduce Time Spent Reading or Writing
4. Record your Ideas
5. Mind Maps and Bullet Points help to Organise Ideas
6. Use Audio Books to Encourage a Love for Stories
7. Use Technology to Type Some Pieces of Work
8. Share the effort
1. Talk or Write Out a Problem
For the dyscalculic student, math concepts are simply abstracts, and numbers mere marks on a page. Talking through a problem or writing it down in sentence form can help with seeing relationships between the elements. Even restating word problems in a new way can help with organizing information and seeing solutions.
2. Draw the Problem
Drawing the problem can also help visual learners to see relationships and understand concepts. Students can “draw through” the problem with images that reflect their understanding of the problem and show ways to solve it.
3. Break Tasks Down into Subsets
Dyscalculic students can easily get overwhelmed by a complex problem or concept, especially if it builds on prior knowledge — which they may not have retained. Separating a problem into its component parts and working through them one at a time can help students focus, see connections and avoid overload.
4. Focus on One at a Time
5. Use “Real-Life” Cues and Physical Objects
Relating math to the practicalities of daily life can help dyscalculic students make sense of concepts and see the relationships between numbers. Props like measuring cups, rulers, and countable objects that students can manipulate can make math concepts less abstract.
5. Use Maths Resources
1. Use a Visual Timetable
2. Create a Working Space
3. Understand Sensory
4. Take Brain/ Sensory Breaks
5. Play Games Together
- Play lots of games with your child to encourage social skills, such as taking turns and winning and losing.
Calming activities
Sensory Toys
Ear Defenders
Safe Space
During these challenging times, we are still working with outside agencies to support families and children. We continue to work with the ADHD Foundation who can offer some on line training and support, those children who are supported by the Speech and Language Therapist can continue to receive this remotely or by phone and with CAMHS though our Mental Health School Support work. Our ELSA (emotional literacy support assistants) offer one to one sessions for those children who need help with their mental health and wellbeing. We also signpost families to agencies such Koala to support with managing children’s behaviour at home during lockdown. Our school website is regularly updated with resources, support ideas and links.
WIRED
Speech Langauge and Communication and Interaction
- https://classroom.thenational.academy/specialist/subjects/communication-and-language Oak academy communication and language lessons
- https://en.commtap.org/primary A directory of activities and resources to support development of specific speech, language and communication needs, Searchable by age phase, subject, target and level of attainment.
- https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/resources/resources/resources-for-parents/ A range of resources to help parents develop children speech and language needs.
- https://ican.org.uk/a-message-to-our-supporters-on-coronavirus/activities-to-develop-speaking-and-listening-skills/ games and activities to support speech and language needs.
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/android-apps-for-complex-communication-support-needs/ a guide to android apps to support complex communication needs
- https://pecs-unitedkingdom.com/support-at-home/ activities to support children and parents using PECS (picture Exchange)
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
- https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/category/free-resources/ A range of resources, games etc. to support different areas of mental health; anxiety, anger, emotions, mindfulness etc.
- https://managing-change.middletownautism.com/ resources aimed at autistic pupils, but could be used with others to support change, particularly around COVID 19.
- https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/search/label/My%20Freebies?updated-max=2020-07-05T17:59:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false A range of social stories and resources around a lot of different life issues, including COVID 19, that can be used to support children’s understanding.
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ipad-apps-for-complex-communication-support-needs/ iPad Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs
- https://www.bookofbeasties.com/ Create a free account to access certain activities and resources to support mindfulness and well-being.
- https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/games-skillbuilders/social-emotional-activities-for-children a selection of games to play to build children’s social and emotional awareness
Cognition and Learning
Maths
- https://classroom.thenational.academy/specialist/subjects/numeracy Oak academy lessons to support children with additional needs in specific areas of maths.
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-dyscalculianumeracy-difficulties/ iPad Apps for Learners with Dyscalculia/Numeracy Difficulties
- https://www.easyreadtimeteacher.com/teacher-classroom-resources/ resources to support teaching to tell the time
- https://www.weareteachers.com/active-math-games/ active games to support maths learning
- https://www.didax.com/math/virtual-manipulatives.html virtual physical resources to help children understand maths, cubes, tens frames, number lines, bead strings, and many more!
English
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/android-apps-for-learners-with-dyslexia/ Android Apps for Learners with Dyslexia / Reading and Writing Difficulties
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/powerpoint-books-for-young-readers/ Free Powerpoint Books for Young Readers
- https://www.booksfortopics.com/dyslexic-readers?fbclid=IwAR1_cTqfjigl-KkzG9UVxUq_cwmZfBJ9yIvdA6R5utt-Jbxer7Xy6xLaolY List of Dyslexia friendly books
- https://www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com/ multisensory stories for downloading using signs, props, movement etc. to engage children with special needs.
- https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/free-ebooks/ free e-book library, select by age group
General
- https://dekkocomics.com/topic-guide Comic books that can be downloaded and support learning in different areas of the curriculum, aimed at KS2
- https://classroom.thenational.academy/specialist/subjects/early-development-learning Early develop lesson for pupils working below year 1 level.
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ict-to-support-learners-with-dyslexia/ Ways to use technology to Support Learners with Dyslexia
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/inclusive-learning-resources/ Resources to support SEND learning
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs/ iPad Apps for Learners with Complex Additional Support Needs
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-dyslexia/ iPad Apps for Learners with Dyslexia
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zn5RLhNWoCRG9KyoHu4boFiqo5G8Zc3lxDkgJw-uBGQ/edit?fbclid=IwAR1-h3BvteNDDHTcqBStqz7YECBPgfifaW58D2E8NHS2EmiOfqwuSHfDYSU A list of free or cheap apps for developing a range of learning skills
- https://vimeo.com/457320105?fbclid=IwAR3m1100UbRduVvNCqW6eN7OVUZdXO38APRka-cObxntIlwNoh34AXjb7P8 Funky feet dance and movement videos
- https://do2learn.com/ Downloadable resources, activity and lesson ideas for literacy, numeracy, behaviour and social skills of needs including social skills.
- https://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/ accessible learning games for English, maths, memory and typing skills
Sensory and Physical Needs
- https://classroom.thenational.academy/specialist/subjects/physical-development Oak academy lesson to support children with additional in in their physical development
- https://sensory-processing.middletownautism.com/ support for autistic learners with sensory processing, ideas for activities, resources and guidance for those supporting them
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/using-the-ipad-to-support-learners-with-physical-difficulties/ A guide to using the iPad to Support Learners with Physical Difficulties
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/using-the-ipad-to-support-learners-with-visual-difficulties/ Using the iPad to Support Learners with Visual Difficulties
- https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/using-windows-10-accessibility-tools-to-support-learners-with-visual-difficulties/ Using Windows 10 'Accessibility' Tools to Support Learners with Visual Difficulties
- https://www.griffinot.com/developing-childrens-fine-motor-skills/fine-motor-activities-with-kim-griffinot/ 10 weeks worth of videos with activities to develop children fine motor skills
- https://www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com/ multisensory stories for downloading using signs, props, movement etc. to engage children with special needs.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfr dance mat typing to develop typing skills, different levels of challenge.
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ah-07GtU9ou18fXpkcZSQ Learn British sign language fun videos
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Self Help and Independence
- https://classroom.thenational.academy/specialist/subjects/independent-living Oak academy lesson developing life skills such as dressing, personal care etc.
- https://life-skills.middletownautism.com/ Resources aimed at support children with autism develop essential life skills such as personal hygiene, self-care, safety, managing work and leisure activities.