Is it any wonder that some students struggle when learning to read? Depending on the font, we have 41 or more separate symbols that represent our 26 alphabet letters. (eg., A, a, a)

There are only 11 small letters that look identical to their capital letter.
Cc, Kk, Oo, Pp, Ss, Uu, Vv, Ww, Xx, Yy, Zz

There are 8 capital letters that almost look like their small letters which means learning 16 separate symbols.
Bb, Ff, Hh, Ii, Jj, Ll, Mm, Tt

There are 7 capital letters that do not look like their small letters which means learning 14 distinct, unrelated symbols.
Aa, Dd, Ee, Gg, Nn, Qq and Rr

Not everyone thinks the same way. Some things, like memorizing facts, come easier to some students than to others. I want to stress the ‘think differently’ part.

If I say the word ‘ice cream cone’, did a picture of an ice cream cone pop into your head?

I would guess that most of you said "yes" and could describe a delicious treat because of the image that just popped into your head.

If you didn’t visualize an ice cream, you aren’t alone.

Whether students have learning difficulties or not, students don’t all think the same way. Therefore, they shouldn't be taught in the same way.

So how does a busy teacher deal with this? Vary your lesson, vary your explanation, vary your teaching strategies as you go over the material.

If you use 3 different methods when presenting the same material, you will in all likelihood, reach all your students.

Reading Skills Section for more information and teaching techniques

Math Skills Section for more information and teaching techniques.

Simply start by having them count up.

For example, 8 - 5 = ?

• Have your child start with the bottom number 5 and, for now,
• use their fingers to count up 6, 7, 8.

They use 3 fingers so the answer is 3.

Once they have mastered this, you can use some of the strategies suggested in this site.

Work on each set of facts using a systems method instead of trying memorizing subtraction math facts.

• -1 is the number before/infront
• -2, -3, -4 count down using the points on the numbers
• -9 use the 'magic nine' method, just add the top two numbers together eg., 14 - 9 = (1+4) = 5
• -10 bring down the ones digit
• The Math Ladder is an amazing 'tool' for older students.
• Take the bottom number and subtract it from ten, then
• add it to the ones digit of the top number.

eg., 16 - 7 = (10 - 7 = 3) + 6 = 9.

See our Math Subtraction Page.

• for struggling students that need help in every area
• for parents that don't know where to begin
• for tutors that are trying to cope with students that need help in every area

Over the years, I had developed worksheets to use with struggling students that needed help in all areas – math, reading, paragraph writing, spelling, letter reversals, logic skills. As more families came for help, my prep time per student became unmanageable.


Since I was reusing my worksheets for students with similar learning difficulties, I decided to create progressive worksheet booklets that I could quickly print out before the student arrived. I did still modify them to meet specific needs – if an older student couldn't add nor subtract quickly, I would use the advanced lesson booklets but substitute a beginner or intermediate math worksheet.

I have run across some of my students over the years and I am thrilled to say that they have continued to do well in school as a result of the basic skills in writing structure, math and logical thinking that they acquired.

Lesson Booklets are organized into a series of 8 sections that include:

1. ReverseFixUp – a brain teaser copy-the-dot-pattern worksheet used for thinking and letter reversals which students love
2. decoding words – to help reading fluency students highlite the smaller sound units within the words
3. reading comprehension – a short educational write up, a short set of questions and a student written paragraph
4. language arts – a language arts or grammar worksheet
5. math facts practice – basic adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing worksheet
6. math concepts – teaching worksheet
7. spelling lesson – fill-in the missing letter
8. thinking worksheets – a brain teaser

Lesson Booklets are aimed at four levels:

1. prebeginner
2. beginner
3. intermediate
4. advanced

There is always a way to teach the basics to struggling students. It just requires another strategy.

For example, if we look at multiplying by 9 strategies:

1. memorizing (seldom works for struggling students but always a first try)
2. times 5 plus times 4   eg., 6 x 9 = (6x5=30) + (6x4=24) = 30+24 = 54
3. times 3 plus times 3 plus times 3   eg., 5 x 9 = (5x3=15) + (5x3=15) + (5x3=15) + = 15+15+15 = 45
4. add a zero subtract the number   eg., 8 x 9 = (add a zero=80) - (the number=8) = 80-8 = 72
5. magic 9   eg., 4 x 9 = Lay your hands on the desk. Fold under the fourth finger. Notice the number of fingers on the left of the folded finger = 3.
   Followed by the number of fingers on the right of the folded finger = 6. (Remember we are using all ten fingers.) The answer is 36.

or something as complicated as

6. the numbers in the answer add up to 9 & the tens digit in the answer is one less than the number   eg., 7 x 9 = (7-1=6) + (6+?=9) = 6 & 3 = 63

See our basic math strategies information page.

See our multiplication information page.

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Nine is a magical number for the struggling student.

• When subtracting nine, the student can be given a 'tool' = "magic nine".
  Add the two top digits together to get the answer. eg., 14-9 = (1+4) = 5
• When multiplying nine, the student can be given a 'tool' = "magic nine".
  eg., 9x4 Lay your hands on the desk. Fold under the fourth finger.
  Notice the number of fingers on the left of the folded finger = 3.
  Followed by the number of fingers on the right of the folded finger = 6. (Remember we are using all ten fingers.)
  The answer is 36.
• When multiplying nine, the student can be given a 'trick'.
  The tens digit in the answer is one less than the number being multiplied & the answer adds up to equal nine. eg., 8x9 = (one less than 8 is 7) = 7+2 = 9.
  The answer is 72.
• When dividing by nine, the student can be given a 'tool' = "magic nine".
  Lay your hands on the desk. Create the number to be divided with your fingers.
  eg., 36÷9 Fold under the fourth finger.
  Notice the number of fingers on the left of the folded finger = 3.
  Followed by the number of fingers on the right of the folded finger = 6.
  The answer is 4.
• When dividing nine, the student can be given a 'trick'.
  The answer is one more than the tens digit
  eg., 27÷9 = (ten's digit is 2, one more is 3)
  The answer is 3.

Struggling students have great difficulties memorizing math facts, so 'tools' and 'tricks' are helpful and can be just as successful.

Go to Math Skills Section for more information and teaching techniques.

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The holiday season is upon us. This gives relatives, parents, friends and teachers a chance to sneak in an educational toy.

From inexpensive to outlandish, fun and educational toys can be one and the same.

• play cash registers with plastic coins and paper bills
• letter and number tile games and magnets
• math, alphabet and reading flash cards shaped like robots or animals
• puzzles – jigsaw puzzles of pictures, maps and numbers; thinking puzzles
• playing cards
• white boards with colorful markers
• craft kits to enhance motor skills – beading, knitting, jewelry, flowers, models
• holiday activity booklets
• reading books and puppets
• colored cardboard, stickers and crayons
• board games
• notepads, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil cases organized neatly in a backpack
• computer games

The choices of educational gifts and the opportunities to educate are endless.
Enjoy the season, Linda.

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Use every special occasion to making learning math fun.

1. sort Halloween candies into piles by their type — chocolate bars, bubble gum, lollipops,etc.
2. sort those piles into smaller piles by color, kind, size, etc.
3. count each pile of each type of candy and then add those piles together, eg., 3 red lollipops + 2 green lollipops + 1 black lollipop = 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 lollipops
4. divide the Halloween candy into groups of 10 and then practice counting by tens (and then do the same for groups of 5 and groups of 2)
5. practice multiplying by placing candies in groups of equal numbers
6. practice dividing by taking a large pile of candies and creating smaller equal piles
7. figure out how many days the Halloween candies will last if they ate a certain number each week
8. count how many Halloween candies were collected in total

Have a Happy Halloween.

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Start the School Year Out Ready for Success

Do you want to make a difference in the life of a struggling student?

Start with the basic:

• Can they print their letters and numbers? — use ReverseFixUp worksheets.
• Can they read fluently? — use word decoding lists.
• Can they read write a paragraph easily? — see our writing skills page.
• Can they add and subtract? — use basic math fact strategies.
• Can they multiply? — see our multiplication page.
• Can they think things out logically? — use brain teasers and our ReverseFixUp worksheets.

You can make a difference in the life of a struggling student!

Go to Reading Skills Section for more information and teaching techniques.

Go to Math Skills Section for more information and teaching techniques.

See our Teaching Resources for worksheets, lesson plans, special education resources, etc. (Free Worksheets Samples)

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Reading opens the door to understanding the world that surrounds us. Reading brings us knowledge, enjoyment, advice and comfort. Can you imagine not being able to read everyday things? Transportation information, recipes, technical and medical instructions, email, websites, books, newspapers, comic books, personal correspondence, birthday cards — the list is endless.

I believe most children can be given the 'tools' to read at some level. I have worked with students in middle elementary grades that couldn't read a three lettered word; with IQ challenged from grade school to adulthood; with learning disadvantaged; and with non-fluent readers.

The method that worked was using word decoding lists and colored highliter markers. The 'tool' given to the student was the ability to see the sections within the word that they recognized and then the skill to decode the rest. The 'tool' given to the teacher was seeing how the struggling student saw the word as they highlight the various sound units within the word.

eg., geomagnetically = geomagnetically

More on using decoding words.

See our Decoding word list samples.

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