Resource Rooms

For those students that are struggling with a particular math skill or concept, providing MANGO Math games and activities in a resource room is a great way to allow the student the time and repetition to fully grasp the theory at hand.\n\nMath experts attribute deficits in math to one or more of these areas:\n\nIncomplete mastery of number facts:  Memorization of math facts or strategies to getting a fact quickly is critical. It allows a student to approach more advanced mathematical thinking without being bogged down by simple calculations. Recalling these facts efficiently is required for future math success.\n\nComputational weaknesses: Many students, despite them having a good understanding of mathematical concepts, are inconsistent with computing. These students make errors because they misread signs or carry numbers incorrectly, or may not write numerals clearly enough or in the correct column. Being careless in their computations can lead to difficulty with grades down the line despite their potential for higher-level mathematical thinking.\n\nDifficulty transferring knowledge: This is a fairly common difficulty experienced by people with math problems; it is the inability to easily connect the abstract or conceptual aspects of math with reality. Working with tangible material to understand what symbols, formulas and signs mean is important to how well and how easily a child will remember a concept. Holding and inspecting an equilateral triangle will be much more meaningful to a child than simply being told that the triangle is equilateral because it has three equal sides.\n\nMaking Meaningful Connections: Students’ inability to make meaningful connections within and across mathematical experiences makes it harder for them to recall and apply mathematical skills in new situations. For instance, if a student does not understand the relationship between fractions and division, they will have a harder time applying shortcuts like cross-multiplication.\n\nIncomplete understanding of the language of math:  For some students, an inability to comprehend a math question prevents them from furthering their math skills.  Math has some inherently difficult terminology which they hear nowhere outside of the math classroom. Students that have difficulty understanding written or verbal directions or explanations frequently find world problems especially difficult.\n\nEach MANGO Math game focuses on a particular skill within the common core strands; Measurement, Algebraic thinking, Number sense with operations and fractions, Geometry and Order (data). It is easy to choose the activity that will help each individual child. The games are fun and hands-on, which increases focus and participation. The lessons encourage students to persevere and work towards “winning” the games. Repetition of a specific game will help students look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Students who struggle with processing multistep problems can improve their accuracy by employing several strategies that are emphasized in MANGO Math curriculum, “walking” and “talking” problems through. In a setting such as a resource room or any small group, MANGO Math lessons encourage students to talk through the process that reinforces a specific skill. The more students participate in their own learning, the more they will learn!