ERIC Number: EJ1129390
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0040-0599
EISSN: N/A
Helping Students with Mathematics Difficulties Understand Ratios and Proportions
Dougherty, Barbara; Bryant, Diane Pedrotty; Bryant, Brian R.; Shin, Mikyung
TEACHING Exceptional Children, v49 n2 p96-105 Nov-Dec 2016
Cara, a seventh-grade student with learning disabilities (LD) in mathematics, believes that the ratio 2:3 is equivalent to 4:5 because there is a difference of one between the two numbers in each ratio and there is a difference of two between corresponding numbers in the two ratios (2 + 2 = 4 and 3 + 2 = 5). This misconception affects her ability to find equivalent ratios as well as to work with ratios and proportions in multiple contexts, including determining rates of change with functions and other contextual situations. Why are ratios and proportions important for students' success in mathematics? What are common misconceptions that challenge students with persistent mathematics difficulties? What lesson components for intensive interventions are necessary to address the instructional needs and misconceptions of students with persistent mathematical difficulties? How can progress-monitoring results inform instruction and address misconceptions? Cara's teacher seeks to find the answers to these questions in order to identify ways to support Cara's understanding of ratios and proportions.
Descriptors: Mathematical Concepts, Mathematics, Learning Disabilities, Grade 7, Misconceptions, Algebra, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Achievement, Mathematics Teachers, Comparative Analysis, Mathematics Skills, Learning Problems, Problem Solving
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Grade 7
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A120364