Manipulative-based instructional sequences have proven to be successful with students with disabilities. However, instruction must not only support the acquisition of conceptual and procedural knowledge but also build on students' strengths. This article describes how teachers can use manipulative-based instructional sequences to support the…

The number line is a powerful tool for supporting students' understanding of fraction magnitude. Fractions are a critical component of mathematics instruction in the elementary and intermediate grades. More specifically, understanding fraction magnitude is central to mathematical development. Yet, fractions are challenging for many students,…

This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore the impact of a fraction intervention on 46 sixth-grade students, including 13 with learning disabilities. Twenty-four students were enrolled in the classroom that received intervention, the remaining students participated in standard instruction. The intervention focused on sorting visual…

Competence with rational numbers is essential for mathematics proficiency in secondary mathematics. However, many students struggle with rational number concepts, and students with mathematics difficulties struggle even more. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention that incorporated the use of explicit instruction…

Providing multiple representations of mathematical ideas is an established strategy for supporting students in making connections between high-level conceptual ideas. One form of assistive technology that provides students with such representations is mathematics manipulatives. Virtual manipulatives, in particular, are backed by a growing research…

Fractions are an important concept used throughout advanced mathematical ideas and everyday life. Students need a solid understanding of fraction concepts, such as magnitude, equivalence, and operations. However, many students, including students with learning disabilities (LD) in mathematics, struggle with fractions. In this article, the use of…

Researchers intending to identify the unique characteristics of dyscalculia rely upon the problematic and imprecise proxy of low mathematics achievement. Although detailed case studies of adults with dyscalculia have offered insight into its characteristics, we do not yet know if these characteristics are unique to dyscalculia and could be used to…

Productive engagement in fractional reasoning is essential for abstracting fundamental algebraic concepts vital to college and career success. Yet, data suggest students with learning disabilities (LDs), in particular, display pervasive shortfalls in learning and mastering fraction content. We argue that shortfalls in understanding are in fact…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the concrete-representational-abstract--integrated (CRA-I) sequence on students with learning disabilities' performance when learning fraction and decimal concepts. Three elementary-level students in Grades 4 and 6 participated in a single-case multiple probe across behaviors study. The…

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the concrete-representational-abstract instruction strategies employed in the direct instruction of fractions to students with learning disabilities. Furthermore, the generalization of the instruction to different settings and tools, the follow-up data for one and three weeks after the…

This single-case study investigates the effectiveness of video modeling for teaching the Look, Ask, Pick (LAP) strategy to three seventh-grade students with learning disabilities. The participants watched video segments explaining the technique to solve fraction problems. Results from the intervention revealed substantial performance improvements…

Students with learning disabilities often struggle to explore and apply problem-solving strategies to mathematical word problems, with challenges becoming particularly evident when learning fractions due to their abstract nature and conceptual complexity. This study investigated the effects of Solve It! strategy combined with video modeling on…

This paper presents a replication study investigating the effectiveness of a strategy to assist students with learning difficulties in adding fractions. Drawing on the research conducted by Grünke et al. (2023), this single-case analysis extends the application of the "Look, Ask, Pick" (LAP) mnemonic technique initially introduced by…

As digital technology use increases in K-12 education, greater numbers of strategies become available to support students in mathematics. One technology that provides students diverse representations of mathematical concepts is virtual manipulatives. Although instruction featuring representations with physical manipulatives possesses a large body…

One of the most persistent areas of difficulty in mathematics for children with learning disabilities (LDs) and difficulties is fractions. We report the development and initial testing of an intervention designed to increase access to and advancement in conceptual understanding. Our asset-based theory of change--a tested and confirmed learning…