Touch Math
Touch Math was developed in the early 1970s by Janet Bullock, who was a special education teacher motivated by the need to help students with disabilities grasp basic math concepts. Bullock's approach was innovative, combining tactile and visual components to facilitate understanding of numbers and their relationships—essential for building foundational math skills. This curriculum has since evolved to support not just students with learning challenges but a broad spectrum of young learners across various educational settings (Modulo) (YouTube).
Differentiation: What Makes Touch Math Special Touch Math stands out due to its multisensory approach, where each numeral has associated touch points that visually and physically represent its value. This method supports calculation accuracy and helps embed a deeper understanding of numbers, making it particularly beneficial for early learners and those struggling with traditional math concepts. The program includes materials for a range of mathematical operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, using this tactile strategy (Bonnie Terry Learning).
How to Get Started To begin with Touch Math, parents or educators can access structured lesson plans, worksheets, and manipulatives from the Touch Math curriculum. These resources are tailored for different grade levels and provide a comprehensive guide to implementing the Touch Math method effectively (Modulo).
How it Works Touch Math is designed to be integrated into a homeschool curriculum with ease. It requires minimal preparation and involves about 15 minutes of daily engagement. The program is hands-on and typically necessitates parental or caregiver involvement to guide the learning process. It blends audiovisual and kinesthetic learning modalities, making it a very interactive experience for students (Modulo).
Educational Subjects Included
Basic Arithmetic (Addition, Subtraction)
Advanced Arithmetic (Multiplication, Division)
Number Sense
Early Algebra Concepts
Problem Solving Skills
What’s Good About It Users appreciate Touch Math for its effectiveness in making math accessible, particularly for learners who find traditional methods challenging. The tactile nature of the curriculum aids in engaging multiple senses, which can enhance memory and understanding of mathematical concepts (Ablison).
What Could Be Improved Despite its many benefits, Touch Math could be improved by extending its application to more advanced mathematical topics. Additionally, the heavy reliance on visual cues can be a limitation for students with visual impairments or those who struggle with visual processing (Modulo).
Advice from Parents Parents recommend ensuring consistent practice and integrating the lessons into daily routines. They also suggest supplementing the curriculum with real-world math problems to enhance practical understanding and application of the skills learned through Touch Math (Modulo).
Who It’s an Ideal Fit For Touch Math is ideal for early learners, particularly those in grades K-6 who need a concrete, hands-on approach to math. It's also well-suited for students with learning disabilities or those who benefit from a multisensory learning environment (Modulo).
Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For This program may not be suitable for students who are already proficient in math and do not require tactile or visual aids to understand mathematical concepts. It might also be less beneficial for older students or those preparing for advanced mathematics (Modulo).
Grades Touch Math is most effective for students in grades K-6.
Cost The program typically ranges from $165 to $215 for a full year's curriculum, with additional materials starting at $35 .
Ways to Get It Touch Math materials can be purchased directly through their official website, which offers various kits and supplementary resources tailored to different educational needs (YouTube).
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