Taking Teaching and Learning Seriously

First grade is a tough year, especially when it comes to learning addition facts.  Many students struggle with their addition facts, and teachers are constantly looking for ways to effectively teach their students strategies for answering addition facts.  This research study was conducted at an elementary school in a first-grade classroom over an 8 week period at the beginning of the first-grade school year.  Two different methods of teaching basic addition facts with sums over 10 were taught and the results were compared to determine significant gains in scores between a pre and post test.  The experimental treatment group used TouchMath© while the control group utilized the county mathematics textbook as well as additional strategies like flashcards, tens frames, and manipulatives.  TouchMath© is based on the multi-sensory approach to teaching math, and it is based on the research of Bruner and Piaget.  Their work indicates the most effective way students learn is by moving through developmental stages and scaffolding
( www.touchmath.com, Jan. 21, 2008).  Results at the conclusion of the 8 week study showed the experimental group, the TouchMath group, made significant gains in scores over the control group.

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