A Multi-Sensory Experience for Understanding Math
Math can feel abstract and frustrating, especially for students who have a language based learning disability. At Sterling School, we take a hands-on, multisensory approach to math instruction, grounded in the research-based methods of Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math. Rather than asking students to memorize rules and procedures, we help them truly understand the math by seeing it, touching it, and experiencing it in meaningful ways. The goal is not just competence, but confidence.
How We Teach Math
✦ Lessons engage multiple senses at once: students may use physical objects (manipulatives), drawings, and verbal explanation together to explore a concept
✦ Abstract ideas are always connected to something concrete and tangible before moving to symbols and formulas
✦ Visual aids help students see the structure of a problem, not just solve it by rote memorization
✦ A supportive classroom environment encourages students to ask questions, make mistakes, and try again; building genuine mathematical confidence
Our Classroom Structure
✦Every math class is co-taught by a classroom teacher and an assistant teacher, ensuring students receive attentive, individualized support
✦ Instruction is fully differentiated, no two students need to be at the same place at the same time. Students work at their own level, with goals and pacing tailored to where they are and where they're headed
✦ IXL, an adaptive online math platform, is used across all classrooms to provide personalized practice and help teachers track each student's progress
What We Want Every Student to Gain
✦ A genuine understanding of mathematical concepts, not just the ability to follow a formula
✦ The skills to approach an unfamiliar problem with curiosity rather than anxiety
✦ Confidence in their own mathematical ability, built through repeated, supported success
✦ Strategies that work for the way they learn, so math becomes more accessible over time
Programs & Resources We Use
✦ Marilyn Zecher's Multisensory Math Approach: a structured, research-based framework for teaching math to students with learning differences
✦ IXL Math Curriculum: a comprehensive math curriculum that aligns with New York State and Common Core Standards
✦ IXL: an adaptive online platform that adjusts to each student's level and provides teachers with real-time data on progress
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