Math Site

Need suggestions for teaching math? Check out The Resource Room's page for Math Lessons and Articles.

Videos on Numeracy

This MLoTS link will take you to several numeracy related videos, including lesson plans for GED and pre-GED students.

Florida Literacy Coalition Shares Its Teacher/Tutor Resource Site

I put out a request on Twitter for lesson plans for tutors working with adult literacy learners and I received a link from the Florida Literacy Coalition for their Teacher/Tutor Resource Site. Let us know what you found really valuable on this site.

Direct Instruction

This article will fully explain the concept of direct or explicit instruction. Direct or Explicit Instruction and Mathematics

Free Online Learning

Goodwill Community Foundation has a website with interactive lessons in a wide variety of topics. It is well worth checking out!

More from the National Institute for Literacy

Have you checked out the Basic Skills section of the LINCS Resource Collections? http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/resourcecollections/RC_skills.html
This collection "focuses on reading, writing, mathematics and numeracy resources that can improve instruction in basic skills." Materials are listed in the topics of reading, writing and mathematics and you can search through and find both research and classroom/tutoring materials. One link (Marshall Adult Education: http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/reading-skills-for-todays-adult) takes you to a website with leveled readings for practice with fluency.
Please comment below on what you found most valuable in the Basic Skills section of the LINCS Resource Collection.

Have You Heard of SABES?

SABES is the System for Adult Basic Education Support and according to the homepage, "SABES promotes high quality adult basic education services through training, support and resources that improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners and strengthen programs." http://sabes.org/
Check out their Math Bulletin which includes classroom related materials. http://sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin/math-bulletin-dec2009.pdf
Working on writing? The tips and techniques provided in this Workplace Writing Skills publication will be helpful. http://sabes.org/curriculum/instruction/workplace-writing-skills1.pdf
Find these resources and many more on the SABES website. http://sabes.org

New Math and Numeracy Discussion List

The National Institute for Literacy is starting a new discussion list for adult education practitioners (and yes, that includes tutors!). The purpose of the list is to provide a means for ongoing professional development in math and numeracy. The list will share information and resources on motivation and math, common math and numeracy instructional issues, and other related topics so that participants can increase their understanding of adult numeracy and mathematics issues.

To join the discussion list go to: http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html.

Math and Tutoring

The websites included here were mentioned in an email shared with the National Institute for Literacy's Learning Differences listserve (you can join by going to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/learningdisabilities). Discussion around math and learning differences led to the comment that "the key to math proficiency is to understand our number system and how it works" (Betsy Gauss). She goes on to suggest the use of Base Ten number blocks for teaching basic math concepts and she suggests these internet sites:
http://www.didax.com/base-ten-blocks/
http://ulm.edu/~esmith/nctmregional/blocks.htm
http://www.math-drills.com/
(The full email can be viewed by going to the above NIFL website and reading Current Posted Messages.)

What math challenges have you encountered? What has been successful for you when tutoring an adult learner in math? Add your thoughts in Comments below.

British Website for Adult Learners and Tutors

This website http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ has sections for adult readers on words and numbers and a section for tutors. You can find fact sheets, worksheets, and games to improve skills, there are adult learner stories to watch and listen to, quizzes to test progress, and a Tutor Centre (it is a British site!) with lesson plans and tracking sheets. There is a link to a site called "raw" in the bottom right corner - a website that helps adults develop skills for everyday life. In the Tutor Centre you will also find a link to this site, http://www.skillsworkshop.org/workshee.htm, which is full of free worksheets and handouts for adult basic skills students. The Tutor Centre also has a link to ESOL resources - your options are endless!

What do you like about this site? What did you use with your learner that you found helpful? Please share in the comments section of this post.

Math Website

Are you hesitant to tutor someone in math? Go to http://math.com/ for step-by-step computer instruction in all levels of math skills.