[Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

Wed Apr 25 02:29:57 UTC 2012

I agree- teaching the abacus is a worthwhile skill.  We use the simplified abacus that APH put out a few years ago which makes it easier on the primary age kids.  The Cramner abacus requires the students to do regrouping when they use the "5" bead. Once the kids have the concepts down we are able to move onto the Cramner.  I have had kids calculate on the abacus faster than their peers or myself on paper which is very fun for them.
________________________________________
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Pranav Lal [pranav.lal at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 6:09 PM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

Hi Maureen,

I do not have access to APH as far as I know since I am not in the USA.

Pranav

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lewicki, Maureen
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 1:02 AM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

APH published a book: Abacus Basic Competency: a counting method, by Susan
Millaway. Do you have access to APH catalogue and can you order materials
from them?
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Teacher of Visually Impaired
Bethlehem Central Schools
(518)439-7681
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in
our life, or in the life of another." Helen Keller

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Pranav Lal
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 9:12 PM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

Hi Maureen,

What is the counting method?

Pranav

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lewicki, Maureen
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 11:03 PM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

Years ago I resisted teaching the abacus to my students, thinking it would
be obsolete, but it still an excellent tool for the children. When I found
the 'counting method, it changed my life!! It makes so ,much sense.

In terms of integrated students, I try to get my students using the abacus
solidly, so that they can use it in the classroom. They end up, sometimes
calculating faster than the rest of the class.

Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Teacher of Visually Impaired
Bethlehem Central Schools
(518)439-7681
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in
our life, or in the life of another." Helen Keller

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Susan Mooney
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:36 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Teaching calculation algorithms to blind students

Thank you, Bente Casile!!!!!

SM

On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 10:17 AM, <bente at casilenc.com> wrote:

> Li,
>
>   I am a math learning specialist at a community college and here is
> my opinion.  I would not recommend allowing any student to rely on
> only a calculator.  Eventually as children progress through our
> elementary, middle, high school, and college the mathematics becomes
> more
complex.
> Students need to solve multi step problems.  They must have a way of
> keeping track of their progress toward a solution.  For sighted
> students that is paper and pencil (using the calculator to do the
> computation).  For blind students that is either Nemeth Braille code
> or technology.  Some students use computers with math software that
> can be read back using JAWS, a screen reader.  Calculators are good
> for computation, but they should be a tool that is used as necessary,
> not something to replace everything else.
>
> Bente J. Casile
> Math Learning Specialist
> Disability Support Services
> Wake Technical Community College
> Raleigh, NC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Hi all,
> >
> > I want to know more about how elementary general education math
> > teachers teach the standard algorithms (the vertical procedures used
> > by sighted students to do addition, subtraction, ..) to students
> > with complete blindness in inclusive classrooms. Since many general ed.
> > teachers do not use the abacus or braillewriter, how can they give
> > blind students direct instruction on calculation algorithms?
> >
> > Or, the calculation algorithms are left for itinerant TVIs. General
> > ed. math teachers only use some manipulatives to help students (both
> > sighted and blind) to understand calculation, probably from 1st to
> > 3th grade. When it comes to use pencil and paper and standard
> > algorithms to carry out calculations (more complex problems,
> > probably for 4th or 5th grade students), they do not directly teach
> > blind students. Is this true?
> >
> > I was even told that carrying out more complex calculation manually
> > using standard algorithms is not important any more. As long as
> > students understand calculation (probably using manipulatives), they
> > can use calculators. So, even for sighted students, they do not need
> > to do a lot of calculations using pencil and paper. Is this true?
> >
> > Thanks a lot.
> >
> > lz
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> c.com
> >
>
>
>
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--
Be Here now.  Be someplace else later.  Is that so complicated? (Zen
Judaism)
 <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi>
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