A person writes math equations on an interactive whiteboard using a stylus.

Embedded Classroom Support

Dyscalculia & Math Challenges

Every student can learn and enjoy math. However, lots of things can make math hard for some students, including dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, visual processing challenges, or even math anxiety. At McLean, we work to identify the root cause of the problem and implement an educational plan to address it.

Student in a white shirt completes a worksheet at a desk, holding a pink pen and a colorful geometric board, with school supplies nearby.A teacher stands and smiles in a classroom as students participate, one holding up a blue sticky note. Classroom signs and posters are visible in the background.A teacher stands by a digital whiteboard displaying a math problem as five students seated at a round table raise their hands enthusiastically in a classroom with bookshelves.A girl writes math calculations on a large interactive whiteboard, solving a word problem about collecting shells.Student in a white shirt completes a worksheet at a desk, holding a pink pen and a colorful geometric board, with school supplies nearby.A teacher stands and smiles in a classroom as students participate, one holding up a blue sticky note. Classroom signs and posters are visible in the background.A teacher stands by a digital whiteboard displaying a math problem as five students seated at a round table raise their hands enthusiastically in a classroom with bookshelves.A girl writes math calculations on a large interactive whiteboard, solving a word problem about collecting shells.
Two students sit at a classroom table working on hands-on projects with tools and electronic components in front of them.A person writes a math equation on a whiteboard with a marker while holding a calculator; another person stands in the background.A student stands at a whiteboard with mathematical equations written on it in a classroom setting.A student writes algebraic equations on a whiteboard while a teacher observes in a classroom setting.Two students sit at a classroom table working on hands-on projects with tools and electronic components in front of them.A person writes a math equation on a whiteboard with a marker while holding a calculator; another person stands in the background.A student stands at a whiteboard with mathematical equations written on it in a classroom setting.A student writes algebraic equations on a whiteboard while a teacher observes in a classroom setting.

Embedded Classroom Support for Students with Dyslexia & Reading Challenges

Tailored, Small Group Instruction

Students are in small, flexible groups, by skill level, for structured lessons and personalized support to ensure they have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts from kindergarten through grade 6.

Multisensory Learning Techniques

Incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods, such as acting out math problems or using color-coded materials, helps reinforce mathematical concepts and caters to diverse learning styles.

Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract Instruction (CPA)

McLean employs the CPA sequence, beginning with hands-on manipulatives, progressing to visual representations, and culminating in abstract problem-solving. This approach ensures a deep understanding of mathematical concepts before moving to abstract reasoning.

Addressing Math Anxiety

Recognizing that math anxiety can impede learning, McLean provides a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and persistence, helping students build confidence in their mathematical abilities. By modeling a growth mindset, teachers emphasize that mistakes are opportunities for learning rather than failures.

Scope and Sequence

Our math program follows a carefully designed scope and sequence, ensuring that concepts build logically from year to year. This structured approach helps students master foundational skills, make connections across topics, and gain confidence as they progress through each grade.

Collaborative Team

Math teachers, along with a Math Specialist in kindergarten to grade 4, Coordinators of Learning Services, and the K-12 Math Coordinator and Instructional Leader, work together to map out curricular objectives and support for each student.

Integration of Technology

The use of math apps and interactive tools allows students to engage with mathematical concepts in dynamic ways, reinforcing learning through technology.

Accommodations When Appropriate

Targeted accommodations can reduce barriers while keeping the focus on understanding mathematical concepts. Tools such as multiplication charts, calculators, and large graph paper allow students to work more efficiently, minimizing stress and cognitive overload.

Our Math Curriculum

We believe all students can learn and enjoy math. Our Math Curriculum is designed to help students build strong foundational skills while developing confidence and problem-solving strategies. From ungraded Pre-Algebra to AP Calculus, our diverse course offerings allow students to explore different areas of math while progressing through a clear, structured sequence.

K-4 Curriculum
Grades 5-8 Curriculum
Grades 9-12 Curriculum
A student with long brown hair writes math equations on a whiteboard at a desk, with a calculator and eraser nearby in a classroom setting.

XPerts Talk

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Dive Deeper

Two children sit on the floor in front of bookshelves; the boy in the foreground reads a spiral-bound book, while the girl in the background holds a notebook.
Dyslexia & Reading Challenges
A teacher and a student review papers together at a desk in a classroom with a laptop and a whiteboard in the background.
ADHD
A person writes in a planner with a pencil at a desk, next to an open binder and a pencil case.
Dysgraphia & Writing Challenges
The entrance to McLean School.

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