Learning the Everyday World of Math for Deaf Students

How much math do you use in a day? As adults we use basic math functions all the time without even thinking about it. What if you couldn't estimate your total grocery bill at the store? Or figure out how much sugar to buy for a recipe? These are some of the everyday math skills that my students desperately need to learn. I am an itinerant teacher for the deaf. I teach preschool through high school for deaf students who use American Sign Language to communicate. Most of my students are from single parent homes in high need communities. How can you teach functional math without hands on supplies? My students need to see and touch to understand math concepts. They are visual learners due to the nature of their disability. They struggle to understand new concepts and need extensive repetition and practice to learn math basic math. My solution is to provide hands on, small group instruction for basic everyday math skills. To do this I would like 5 functional math games(ex. Menu Math, Budget Math Game), a clock, time & money picture pocket set, math activity resource book and a set of math picture books. I want to make learning math fun and functional by teaching math concepts within everyday activities. Such as adding a bill and figuring out the appropriate tax. These activities are meaningful. Figuring the tax on a bill is something my students would do at the mall with friends. If they see the need for learning, their motivation will increase tremendously. For my students a meaningful context of learning will translate to a deep understanding of the concept. Your support will allow my deaf students to embark on the path to independent adulthood. They will be able to navigate the world of math that we take for granted everyday. Please help them to succeed in math and in life.