Dyslexia and maths word problems

[Bigbiscuits]

My DS struggles with maths word problems - things like ....

The sum of
The difference between

Does anyone have any good resources that helps reinforce these terms?

Not sure it's directly related to his dyslexia but suspect it maybe

Thank you

[mrz]

Has he actually been taught sum means total means how many when added together means addition

Does he know that in maths difference is a number value - how many more is nine than four /low many fewer is four than nine not 4 is different to 9 because four is straight lines and none is curved

We use vocabulary in maths that has a specific meaning slightly different to the meaning in other contexts so it's important to teach.

(We have a tendency to call all calculations "sums" while this means adds only)

[Lonecatwithkitten]

As Mrz has said I spent a lot of time with my DD talking about how to convert the words into a calculation. It was repetitive work over many hours over many weeks creating the brain muscle memory of what the words meant. I would say it was a problem all through year 5 and the early part of year 6. No quick fix I am afraid.

[Bigbiscuits]

Yes, he has been taught.

He remembers and gets it right for a while and then we have to go over it again.

Just wondered if anyone had come across any good resources to help reinforce it again.

[mrz]

When he gets it wrong do you have to tell him what it means or is he able to tell you if asked?

[Bigbiscuits]

Mrz, that is an interesting question. Will test it out later. I think I am sometimes too eager to go into explain rather than listen mode.

[mrz]

If you stop him and ask him what the question is asking and he can see what to do then he's learnt the meaning ...if you need to explain then it's not secure and he needs more reinforcement

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Bigbiscuits as a dyslexic myself I am really aware and what I focused on with DD was repetition so eventually it went into long term memory. We did practice beyond what came how from school, the bond 10 minute papers were really helpful.