The Numeracy Project is what is being used to direct our math instruction in the Elementary Special Education classrooms.
Numeracy
THE NUMBER FRAMEWORK
"At the core of numeracy development is The Number Framework. This framework was established to help teachers, parents, and students understand the requirements of the number knowledge and number strategies necessary to advance to higher levels of mathematical understanding. This framework was developed in New Zealand as a part of their Numeracy Project through the NZ Ministry of Education. In the two main sections of the framework, the distinction is made between strategy and knowledge. The Strategy section describes the mental processes students use to estimate answers and solve operational problems with numbers. The Knowledge section describes the key items of knowledge that students need to learn. It is important that students make progress in both sections of the framework. The strategy section of the framework consists of a sequence of global stages (there are currently 9 stages). Progress through the stages indicates an expansion in knowledge and in the range of strategies that students have available. The application of number knowledge and mental strategies is often described as 'number sense'. Strongly developed number sense leads to algebraic thinking".