Math

The Laurel School of Princeton serves children with learning differences and is focused on providing the best instruction for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia. We provide the latest and most technologically advanced teaching methods available. Located in Hopewell, NJ, our school serves students with learning disabilities throughout the greater Princeton area, Central New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania and beyond, via online learning.

Both dyslexia and dyscalculia can affect a student’s ability to learn and understand math.

Dyslexia involves trouble reading and isolating sounds, language difficulties that can impact learning in any subject, from language arts to science. Dyscalculia, on the other hand, specifically affects a student’s ability to absorb and understand numbers and math concepts. In more acute cases of dyscalculia, there can be an acute disadvantage when it comes to keeping up with peers.

The Laurel School Math Curriculum for Students with Dyscalculia and Dyslexia

Our students receive direct instruction in small, homogeneously grouped classes for one hour daily. Laurel School focuses on developing students’ conceptual understanding of mathematics, problem-solving, mathematical language, and procedures with language-based learning disabilities in mind. 

Trained under math specialist Marilyn Zecher, our approach applies Orton-Gillingham multisensory instructional strategies to mathematics. Students are guided through concrete, pictorial, and abstract understanding of mathematical concepts to accommodate all levels of understanding. New concepts are introduced with increasing depth and complexity and are consistently reviewed and practiced. Lessons make connections between instruction and real-life applications of math and teachers implement a multi-sensory curriculum; manipulatives, kinesthetics, mnemonics, and other visual supports are integrated into daily instruction to promote student engagement and retention of math concepts.

The Laurel School’s math curriculum follows the progression of skills and concepts developed by the NCTM (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics) standards. The Laurel School focuses on the individual student, not a specific program. We use materials that best suit an individual child. The teachers draw on many established programs, including Jump Math, Math-U-See, Woodin Math, Steve Wyborney, Ronit Bird and various other leaders in the field of mathematics instruction.