Touch+Math


 * Content **

 Mathematics- Multiplication

 **Grade Level**

 This strategy is usually implemented with intermediate grade levels, as it is intended for use in teaching multiplication fact recall.

 **Curriculum Standards**

M.O.3.1.11 : recall basic //multiplication facts //  and the corresponding division facts.

M.O.4.1.9 : quick recall of basic //multiplication facts //  and corresponding division facts.

 **Description of Practices**

 Touch Math is used by first introducing students to numbers that contain “Touch Points”. Numbers 1-9 are displayed with each number containing the corresponding amount of dots (i.e. two dots on the number two). Once the students are familiar with these numbers, they can then begin using them to complete multiplication problems. The students will use “skip counting” to solve basic multiplication facts. When given a problem, they will use the numbers with “Touch Points” to skip count and find a product. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">For example, if a student is given the problem 6 x 2, the student will look at the number six and skip count by twos by counting as he/she touches each Touch Point on the number six. On the number six, there are six dots. By counting by twos on each of these, the student will count to the final product of twelve.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Implementation Considerations**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> An important thing to consider when teaching Touch Math to students is that one must consider the difficulty of having students skip count by the larger numbers. When students are asked to skip count by sixes, this may be difficult. In the past when I have done this with students, I have had them practice their skip counting by first writing them on the board (6, 12, 18, 24…). They would then practice saying them aloud over and over, as I would remove a couple of the numbers at a time. This would help them to develop a rote memory of the numbers’ multiples.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Examples**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> This example is taken from the official Touch Math YouTube channel. It shows the basic breakdown of how the strategy works. It explains the differentiation used to help students that learn in different ways (i.e. visually, kinesthetically, etc.). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBpIdA9nEeU

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **Citation**

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Calik, N., & Kargin, T. (2010). Effectiveness of the Touch Math Technique in Teaching Addition Skills to Students with Intellectual Disabilities. //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">International Journal of Special Education // <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, 25(1), 195-204. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. Touch Math