I work with the hardest-working group of students with disabilities imaginable, and I'm so lucky to teach them ELA and math. They learn differently, but they have deep insights and do their best every day to succeed. I try to support them in finding success however possible.
Though they are in fourth and fifth grade, my students still struggle to remember basic math facts.
If you're familiar with the rigorous 4th-5th grade math curriculum, you know what a problem this is. I would allow my students to use calculators, but they are not a legal test accommodation in NY.
Use of an abacus IS an acceptable test accommodation in NY. Not only can an abacus be used for all four functions, they also support number sense and understanding of place value. For tactile and visual learners, they offer the chance to physically manipulate numbers. They are underused, fascinating tools.
I would like each of my students to be able to learn math on an abacus, both to deepen their understanding and to give them access to a permitted accommodation on grade-level tests.
My Project
Use of an abacus will allow my students with special needs to get physical with their math instruction. They will be moving and manipulating their way through concepts from simple to complex.
Because an abacus can be used as a test accommodation, my students will be able to use their new skills whenever and wherever they encounter mathematics, including on difficult state tests.
Students thrive when they can find success. Your donation will help increase my students' confidence in their math abilities, give them deeper understanding of math concepts, and teach them skills they can use for the rest of their lives.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. West and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
