Math is an integral part of educational therapy. While math exercises do improve students' math skills, the primary purpose of including math in therapy is not simply to teach math, but to use math to teach thinking. The goal of the math block is to go beyond basic math facts to develop a number sense as well as abstract and conceptual thinking.
The purpose of math exercises is to meet any or all of these goals:
1. To improve the formation and retention of visual images
2. To improve auditory attention and listening skills
3. To develop problem-solving ability
4. To improve mathematical reasoning and logical thinking
5. To develop mathematical vocabulary and concepts
6. To internalize basic math facts
7. To improve language processing
8. To stimulate cognitive processing
When students are given math problems to solve, the emphasis is on the process, not just correct answers. For some students, this means explaining the strategy/steps used in solving a problem. Other students need to use manipulatives to demonstrate their solutions.
Some students need to improve their processing speed, becoming more automatic in their mastery of the basic facts. Some students need to develop flexibility of thinking by developing alternate strategies for solving a problem. All students need to use precise and accurate language when working with math problems.
A variety of math exercises are used in accomplishing the development of students' skills. These include time, money, place value, partners to 10, multiples, rounding, measurement, fractions, word problems, etc. Mental, written, and manipulative activities are used.
Math block can be an effective way of strengthening visual, auditory, and/or cognitive weaknesses that a student may have.