#  >> K-12 >> K-12 Basics

How to Use Touch Math for Addition

TouchMath is a trademarked educational program that has been teaching children basic arithmetic since 1975. According to Touchmath.com, the concept behind the idea came from elementary school teacher Janet Bullock, who developed this teaching method for her own students. Now, more than 30 years later, its principles are still widely practiced across the country.



The touchpoints in this program are actually physical spots placed on numbers 1 through 9. Number 1 contains one point, number 2, contains 2 points and so on. The theory is, that as children see the numbers, they also see the touch spots. This helps them visualize that numbers are representations of an entity, and not a fact to memorize.

Things You'll Need

  • TouchMath.com free DVD
  • TouchMath.com free training materials
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Gather the supplies you will need. Take advantage of the free training materials available from Touchmath.com. For 30 days you can view the training DVD, and use the complementary training materials that come with the DVD to practice teaching. Watch the free training videos available at Touchmath.com and pay specific attention to the sections that apply to the age group you are teaching. Keep the lesson age-appropriate, and start at the beginning with the most basic skills of learning how to use the touchpoints. Then it is time to try some math problems.

    • 2

      Touch and count the touchpoints. For the example problem 5+3, point and count all of the touchpoints on 5 and then on the number 3. To do this, count: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight while pointing to the touchpoint on each number.

    • 3

      Repeat the problem and answer. In our example, say out loud: "five plus three equals eight." According to a video demonstration on Touchmath.com, this repetition helps to "reinforce fact memorization by targeting 3 learning channels including visual, auditory and tactile kinesthetic." Addition concepts are easier for a classroom of students to grasp because the TouchMath method provides stimulus for all types of learners.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved