Services for Schools and Teachers
Are your students struggling with learning math?
Are you struggling with how to best teach math?
Are you wondering what the most effective way to teach math is, if there even is one?
Are you looking for a solution for math interventions that actually works?
Take a deep breath and relax… you are in the right place.
Based on my 10+ years of experience in K-8 math and special education, I strongly believe the reason so many students are struggling with math is because the methods we have traditionally used are misaligned with how the brain actually learns.
Research in the science of math shows that we have an innate ability to subitize, or see small quantities and just know how many there are without counting. This visual ability is housed in the right hemisphere of the brain, while language and symbolic representations are housed in the left hemisphere.
Methods used successfully for decades in teaching students with dyscalculia demonstrate that strengthening this subitizing ability is at the heart of what is needed to develop number sense and further mathematical skills.
Yet most math curriculums are missing the mark! They focus on visual representations that emphasize counting, rather than subitizing, along with a heavy load of language and symbolic forms that do not yet have meaning to students.
Interested in learning more?
Decoding Math
Decoding Math is our signature teacher training program. It begins with laying groundwork in the science of math, dyscalculia, and math learning disabilities, then moves into effective instructional approaches, tools, and methodology for developing number sense, addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, and fractions. The training concludes with a deep dive into math assessments, planning effective math interventions, and writing the math-related components of IEPs.
What is Decoding Math? Decoding Math is an approach to instruction that first and foremost is aligned with the science of teaching and learning. Next, it uses effective visual representations and tools like dot patterns and Cuisenaire rods to develop conceptual understanding and efficient strategies. Third, it uses a methodology that is explicit, systematic, multisensory, and cumulative in nature. Put together, this approach can be thought of as Structured Numeracy, similar to Structured Literacy.
Decoding Math training is available for educators, schools and districts through:
- Professional Development (in person or online)
- Online Courses
- A combination of both
Multi-day packages and group rates are available. Contact Becky at [email protected] or submit this Contact form to receive a service brochure with more information, Decoding Math course group rates, and a questionnaire to provide more details. You can also click here to set up a time to chat, ask questions, and learn more.
About Our Services
Becky Lord offers professional development, online courses, consultations, and coaching services for schools related to the science of math, dyscalculia, and MLD, as well as effective instruction and interventions for students with or without disabilities. Becky can consult on developing math programming for students with learning disabilities or evaluate current programming.
Professional Development
Becky provides professional development to educators in schools and districts on the neuroscience of math, dyscalculia, and math learning disabilities, effective math instruction for all, and the math-related components of special education.
Online Courses
To make this training accessible to all, Becky offers the online self-paced course Decoding Math. The course is intended to teach educators the neuroscience of math, dyscalculia, and math learning disabilities, as well as effective instructional methods and strategies for students in tier 1, 2, and 3.
Consultation
Becky provides consultations on school- and district-based math programs, help schools develop and implement effective math instruction for students with and without disabilities, and provide guidance regarding specific students and services.
Coaching
Becky can provide coaching to teachers in the classroom on effective instruction for students with dyscalculia or math learning disabilities. This can include observations, modeling instruction, leading lessons, providing feedback, and recommending resources.
Interested in inquiring about our services? Submit this Contact form to receive a service brochure with more information and a questionnaire to provide more details. You can also click here to set up a time to chat, ask questions, and learn more.
Testimonials
What people are saying about Becky’s professional development:
“We have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to have Becky provide Professional Development to both Special Education teachers and classroom teachers within the district on two occasions. Her expertise and easy way to relate to teachers and provide a way to problem solve is outstanding! Teachers have asked repeatedly for her to provide more training to them and have stated her training is the best they have ever had. She is so willing to design PD that meets our needs rather than a one size fits all. We look forward to her providing more PD in the near future.”
Sandra Donah, Ed.D.
Director of Student Support
Holyoke Public Schools, MA
“Becky Lord has been a tremendous support and resource to the teachers in our district. Her presentations and knowledge about dyscalculia, the brain, and best practices in teaching mathematics are delivered in an engaging and hands-on way. Teachers walk away not only wanting more but also able to implement newly-learned strategies immediately.”
Janet Donovan and Kristen Parsons
Math Coaches
Gloucester Public Schools, MA
Sample Descriptions
Read below for a sample of professional development session descriptions:
Understanding The Neuroscience of Math and Dyscalculia
How does math learning develop in our brains? Are we born with innate abilities to understand numbers, and if so what are they? A primer on the neuroscience of math will help participants understand what our innate number systems are, how math understanding typically develops, and where dyscalculia occurs. An introduction to the use of dot patterns will help participants see how to remediate the core deficit in dyscalculia and more effectively develop number sense.
Cognitive Factors of Math Learning Disabilities (MLD) and Math Assessments
What cognitive abilities affect math learning? What is the difference between dyscalculia, math learning disabilities, and general difficulty with math? An overview of the various cognitive factors that affect math learning as well as assessments that help identify them will develop a model of categories for math learning disabilities and differentiate MLD from dyscalculia. An introduction to math assessments will help participants select tools to identify student areas of strength and weakness, and determine where to target instruction.
Developing Number Sense with Dot Patterns
How can we develop our innate number sense and our ability to subitize? What instructional methodology is effective for students with dyscalculia and math learning disabilities? Discover how dot patterns can be used to strengthen our understanding of number, and how our innate ability to subitize can be the foundation for learning basic addition and subtraction, as well as multiplication and division. Learn how to use effective visuals and efficient strategies along with systematic, explicit instruction to develop number sense for all.
Teaching Addition and Subtraction Concepts and Strategies
How can our innate number sense abilities be used to learn addition and subtraction concepts? Discover how our innate ability to subitize can be used as the foundation for learning basic addition and subtraction, setting the foundation for more advanced concepts and strategies. An introduction to Cuisenaire rods will help participants understand how to further develop these concepts by building numbers, emphasizing decomposition and recomposition of number and part-whole relationships.
Teaching Multiplication and Division Concepts and Strategies
How can we teach multiplication and division in a way that students develop strong conceptual understanding, learn efficient strategies, and eventually reach fluency? Discover the 4 meanings of multiplication and division and their relationship to each other, as well as how to model these concepts and help students see the connections between them. Begin learning efficient strategies for each fact that students can practice over time to eventually reach fluency and solve problems with multi-digit numbers.
Developing Math IEPs
What instructional methodology do students with math learning disabilities need? How do we assess current performance, track progress, and write goals that target individual student’s needs? This session will address the math-related components of IEPs, including what effective methodology for math is, options for modifications, and ways to assess and track progress. Learn what math assessments to use and how to use this assessment data to describe current performance, then identify appropriate goals, objectives, and services for a particular student.
Developing Number Sense and Teaching Integers with Dot Patterns
How can we develop our innate number sense and our ability to subitize? And how can this understanding be extended to teaching integers? Discover how dot patterns and our innate ability to subitize can be the foundation for learning addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and integer operations. Learn how to use effective visuals and efficient strategies along with systematic, explicit instruction to develop deeper conceptual understanding for all.
Interested in chatting? Contact Becky at [email protected] or submit this Contact form to receive a service brochure with more information, Decoding Math group rates, and a questionnaire to provide more details. You can also click here to set up a time to chat, ask questions, and learn more.