Dyscalculia and Difficulty in Arithmetic

A Methodological-Theoretical Guide on the topic of dyscalculia and learning disabilities in calculus for elementary school, to frame the problems encountered in the classroom and understand how to manage them:

• numerical intelligence: why it is important to know the innate abilities and processes by which the brain learns and processes mathematical information


• dyscalculia and DSAs: how to distinguish between cases of difficulty and disorder and what to do if there is a child in the classroom who...


• Recovery and enhancement strategies: how to properly prepare strategies and pathways for recovery and enhancement

The guide also consists of a workbook full of tracks with worksheets and materials for teachers outlining proposals and strategies to implement and worksheets for pupils organized by content:

• the number system: activities to work with pupils clearly and effectively on basic processes (quantifying, counting, reading and writing number, etc.)


• calculating in mind: strategies to facilitate calculating the four operations in mind


• the written calculus: how to present procedures for the written calculation of operations, fractions, and expressions in a new way

Also contained on the enclosed CD are:
- the Magic Notebook: a workbook with over 50 activities, compensatory tools, maps and review diagrams
- resources for the interactive whiteboard: materials from the learner worksheets adapted for use in the classroom with the interactive whiteboard and facilitate comprehension of the content
- pupil worksheets: all the pupil worksheets in the workbook in pdf format that can be modified and adapted to the many needs of children

The proposed activities are to be considered supplementary and complementary to the teaching proposals, which can be included in the curricular project whenever the teacher deems it useful, to facilitate, reinforce, and deepen learning of the number system and calculus or to set up, from time to time, individual activity with the child with disorder and difficulty, small group work or with the whole class. It follows the curricular programs of each elementary school class, delving into each area with activities of gradual difficulty, in relation to the children's levels of difficulty.
The volume has been specially constructed to make basic arithmetic accessible to pupils with dyscalculia (specific learning disorder of calculation) or difficulties in the mathematical area, offering the teacher concrete support.