WELCOME!     Find what you need

5 Strategies for Teaching Math to Special Education Students

Teaching math to special education students can be tough. Yet, research has shown that integrating students with diverse abilities and needs into general education math classes can have numerous benefits. 

It promotes inclusivity, social interactions, and a positive student learning environment. Studies have also found that inclusive math classrooms improve academic outcomes, increase self-confidence, and greater overall success for students with disabilities. 

This article will provide ideas to support math lessons for special education students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.

1. Focus on the Standards

Educational standards are guidelines that describe what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level. Focusing on these standards is important because it ensures that all students, including those with special needs, work towards the same academic goals as their peers. 

For upper elementary teachers, this means aligning lesson plans with state or common core standards and considering how to make them accessible to learners with diverse needs. This could involve breaking down complex concepts into simpler parts or providing context to make the material easier to understand.

2. Build Scaffolds to Bridge Learning

Scaffolding is a method that involves giving students temporary supports to help them reach new levels of learning that they wouldn’t be able to achieve on their own. 

For special education students, this could mean using visual aids, checklists, or step-by-step guides to introduce more complex skills or concepts gradually. The goal is to slowly remove these supports as students become more skilled, promoting independence and confidence. 

In practice, scaffolding might involve a teacher showing students how to do something and then guiding them through it before they try it themselves.

shaped math organizers for multiplication and long division

3. Identify Problem Areas and Plug Them

Continuous assessments are essential for pinpointing specific learning gaps or areas of difficulty for special education students. Once we identify these, we should plan targeted interventions to address these challenges. 

This could mean extra tutoring, adjusted assignments, or specialized teaching strategies. For instance, if a student is having trouble with fractions, the teacher could use manipulatives or drawings to help them visualize the concept until they grasp it better.

4th grade fraction lessons for special education

4. Practice and Repetition

Mastering a skill often requires practice and exposure. Creating activities and exercises that let students apply new knowledge or skills in different situations is important.  This allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the concept so it becomes automatic.

For upper elementary students, gamification or hands-on projects can make repetition more engaging. The idea is to reinforce learning and build fluency so concepts or skills become second nature. This step is particularly beneficial for special education students needing more time to consolidate their understanding.

use graph paper grids for improved long division learning

5. Continuous Progress Monitoring and Feedback

It’s crucial to frequently assess the progress of special education students, not just academically but in other areas, too. Using formative assessments helps us monitor understanding and provide immediate feedback. 

And, of course, frequent conversations with students about their progress make them feel good about what they’ve achieved and help them through the challenges they might face. It’s all about making sure they know their efforts are valued and recognized.

teaching binder bundle cover full of teaching forms for data, lesson plans, and organization

Knowledge Empowers Students

Teaching special education math calls for a careful and personalized approach. Using the above ideas, educators will create a welcoming learning environment where special education students master grade-level content. 

We empower students by identifying their specific needs, engaging them with enjoyable practice, and supporting their growth. Remember, a positive and fun math experience is key to every student’s success.



Next Steps –

If you’re ready to jump in and empower your students with ready-to-go resources created with diverse learners in mind, be sure to check out my Teachers Pay Teachers shop. It’s filled with differentiated teaching resources to make math a bit easier to teach and learn.

iep caseload binder for special education

Articles about Multi-Digit Multiplication:

Articles about Long Division:

  • Differentiated Long Division Worksheets for FREE – Grab these differentiated long division worksheets for FREE and dramatically boost student success and your teaching success!
  • Graph Paper Math Intervention – This blog article explains how to use graph paper as a quick and easy intervention resource with your students. In addition, it includes links to free printable graph paper and ideas about how to use it in your classroom.

Differentiated Multiplication Resources:

Differentiated Long Division Resources:

Please follow me at my Teachers Pay Teachers StorePinterest, and Facebook if you found this article useful! I’d LOVE to hear from you!