Optic Numbers

Outdoor Hundreds Board

This is another way of describing a visual way of learning.  These learners need information presented with images or pictures.  Illustrations that describe what words are telling.  Visual or optic learners prefer colors, maps, to organize information and communicated with others.  They are able to use their “mind’s eye” to visualize the objects plans and outcomes.

Mastering Number Facts: 

Despite great effort, visual or optic students have persistent trouble “memorizing” basic number facts in all four operations.  This is after great effort expended to do so.  4+5=9 or 7x3=21 facts can be labored over for years with an outcome of counting fingers, or pencil marks.  This could be an inefficient and unsuccessful memory strategy. 

A simple individual facts chart helps the students to proceed to more complex applications and problem solving.  If he is able to find the same answer in the same location each time, it helps recalling what it is.  Also, by blackening over each fact that has bee mastered you will prevent the child from over reliance on the chart.  This increases the motivation to learn the next one. 

These cards show that the students have already been exposed to thinking in combinations .

Tips for Teaching the Optic/Visual Mathmind

-There are commercial interactive, motivational games

(Child’s interest and keen attention is as important as time spent)

-Emphasize reverses  (6 + 3) (3 +6).  This can be done vertically or horizontally. 

-Use of FACT FAMILIES :  Give 3 numbers to the child.  Draw a simple house.  Using addition and subtraction, make four rooms with number sentences (e.g. 12, in the top of the house:  8,4,12.  Answer; 4 + 8 = 12,

8 + 4 = 12, 12 – 4 = 8, 12  - 4 = 8, This is a visual/optical way of using facts to demonstrate graphically.

- The Hundreds Board is an endless way to show patterns of numbers with every operation of math.  There are hundred’s board book ideas that can be purchased.  With counters, students can be taught to add ( e.g. put counter on 5, count up 3, what is the number, etc.)  Put counters on all even numbers up to 20.  This is done in kindergarten and first grade.  It is the beginning steps of multiplication.

-Students should make their own math journal with illustrations and key math words.

- With a partner make a poster about a key math operation with colorful markers, construction paper, and other art supplies.  Have materials available; just make sure the math principle is being portrayed.

- Flash cards – Limited time, fast and furious concentrated daily.

- DVDs or videos to demonstrate a math activity

- On-line interactive math games

- Watch someone perform or demonstrate a math discovery

- Watching themselves performing a math activity played back on video

- While using visual cues, also using motion or music interactively

- Piggy Bank, empty and recognizing coins and counting money

- Cooking – quantity, measurement tools

- Block building – counting blocks in a line or in a tower

- Play dough – cutting – making sets of objects, patterns/fractional parts

- Pictures with all kinds of paper medium and color, color, color

- Manipulatives, colorful counters, to add and make groups put some in:

   Take some out, Make up pretend world stories

- With maturity these sets can be drawn

- Legos, blocks, cubes, dice, counters, are all immeasurable tools to help

   the child see how math all fits together.

In conclusion,  you can already see that the visual or optic math learner is needing some of the same tools that the other learners will need.  The styles will interact, mix and hopefully further engage the brain more fully.