Hello, my name is Trudy Westover and I have been teaching since 1984. This is a math problem for you. (:0)

I am teaching both second and third grade.

Special Ed.

Two

Yes, I have.

Based on a (non-Semple) Math Test, one third grade student's grade equivalent was a 1.0 as of 8/28/2006. The other third grade student's grade equivalent was a 2.0 as of the same date. Both these students needed to internalize numbers 1-10 and rapidly recognize the numerals and number words for 1-10. They needed practice counting groups of objects to 10. They also needed to learn addition and subtraction facts for sums to 10. They were having difficulty reading and solving math word problems. They both had reversals when writing numbers to 100.

My students are still below grade level. In thirty days, we did every activity in depth and complete all the pages in the workbook carefully. We finished Workbook A, and were on Workbook B, Lesson 18 when our time ran out.

When reading page 70 of your manual, I was shocked when it said it might take less than a week to cover lessons 1-14 or even just a day! It took us 19 days. I base my reasoning for taking so much time because these were the concepts my students most needed. They needed the stories and other mnemonic skills involved in this program to really knowing their numbers and make a connection with them. This applies especially when they write numbers. They have the card spotting, stories, songs and writing prompts down. Their number writing has improved greatly. We are currently on lesson 21. Poor Zero is a very emotional lesson! :0)

I would have to say 5 for both students. They loved learning that way. They couldn't wait for the next lesson. They loved the cards and rolling the dice and spotting it. They also liked the game board. We played it many times as we progressed with each number. It was very easy to make, we just copied and played. No frills were needed to have fun. They thought page 3 was fun because they got to cut out the dots. One said that he hadn't cut stuff out in a while plus he got to use his new glue stick!

Now these students love to match, color, cut, paste, write numbers, and solve addition problems. One said that his favorite things at school was now recess and math. They also liked that they completed the first workbook in such a short time. Most of the time we never get through the huge math workbooks.

One student did have some trouble writing 2's and 3's. He kept getting them confused and said, "My brain don't want to work good anymore." But in the next few days he had it down with no problems.

The repetition activities are excellent! They build student's confidence, success and pride for their own work because they understand math now! With other Math programs, lessons seem to rush to the next concept before students fully understand the first concept. Then teachers have to go and find other math materials to supplement the current concept being taught. It is of key importance that students with special needs have constant and consistent practice before moving on to a new concept. They need to internalize the concept. I feel this program has "plugged in" my students to math because before they had no cord! It is a very visual and experienced based program.

I have never taught with a math program with such exact and crazy dialog. I said each passage word for word. At first, the kids thought I was more nutty than usual. To this day, they have retained just about every word and can repeat it quickly. With other programs, I was lucky for them to remember the material the next day. We sang the "Numbers all together go plus, plus, plus" to the melody "The people on the bus go up and down". It worked really well.

I like the program information found on your website. Is there something going on with your home page? Your heading came up then I see a part of a huge empty gray box.

No. however I could possibly complete an assessment more towards the end of the year. I would like to continue this challenge for six more months.

At this point, I'm unsure. I am only at the beginning stages myself. In six more months I would be better able to answer this question.

Yes, but I will need to get my addition and subtraction challenge done first. Are there other file folder games I could make to supplement concepts? I would like to go to the Semple Math Workshop presented by Nancy Ziehme in February but I am attending a Technology Conference on those days. Any additional information or handouts would be greatly appreciated.

My students are successful in math now and I feel this is just the beginning for them because each lesson builds up for the next step. Semple Math is an effective program and an excellent way to teach because everything relates back to what the students have previous learned and "experienced" and now remember. These student can now picture math in their brains such as Old No-Nose, and Poor Zero. I feel the Semple Math activities, games and manipulative reach students individual learning styles, modalities and multiple intelligences.

Most sincerely,

Trudy Westover
twestover@es.eastknox.k12.oh.us