[AERNet] Math Window

[Helene Holman]

Hi Sue,
I forwarded your email with your observations and questions about the Math
Window to Roger and Paula Wolf. The Wolfs designed and manufacture the Math
Window. They were very interested in everyone's comments and appreciated the
feedback. Below is their response.

Helene Holman
Exceptional Teaching Inc.

From: Roger and Paula Wolf
Our suggestions are:
 
When the Math Window is purchased, all of the tiles are in a plastic box.
The instructions describe placing them around the perimeter in groups of
like tiles.  This is so that a student can become familiar with the location
of the tiles and be able to move them about the work surface very quickly
and easily.  All of the tiles in the box do not need to be placed on the
board, only the tiles the student is currently working with.  We usually
suggest storing the symbols, commas, decimal points, etc in the lower left
of the board and to teach the student that these change from time to time
depending on what is being taught.
 
Some teachers have purchased those small tackle boxes with the individual
compartments to store the tiles instead of having them on the board.  This
seems to work well.  Others have used a cookie sheet to store them.  We also
remind you that the back of the board can also be used to store tiles,
depending on the age of your student.
 
Some students have trouble keeping their work straight on the work surface.
Wikki Sticks work wonderfully for this.  Students can set their first row of
tiles against a Wikki Stix and use it to "anchor" the row in place.  Other
tiles can be butted up against the first row.  The Wikki Stix can also be
placed at a right angle to each other to keep place on the top as well as
the left or right side.
 
As for the large print work surface blending with the tiles, the
construction paper is a great idea.  This will provide contrast for the
student and the color can be customized for each individual.


-----Original Message-----
From: aernet-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org
[mailto:aernet-bounces at lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Sue Mangis
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 9:36 PM
To: Walkrk at aol.com; Aer List
Subject: Re: [AERNet] Math Window


Hi Everyone,

We just received the math window.  We bought the basic set and 
the algebra add on set for both braille and large print.  I just 
started using the braille set with a student, and the large print 
with another.  I have a couple of questions and observations.  
Hopefully someone has some suggestions.  First, sorting the tiles 
took time.  It says to store them around the edge, but it seems 
cluttered.  I'm thinking of getting something to store the 
symbols in making it easier for both a blind student and teacher 
to quickly find the numbers.

Second my student and I set up a long division problem.  Although 
we lined the tiles up with each other, the problem wasn't as 
straight as it could be.  Any suggestions? I thought that if we 
placed a piece of graph paper on the board, then the student 
could line the tiles up with the edge of the squares.  Maybe the 
math window could be made with one side having a grid.

We also purchased the large print set with the braille in the 
lower left corner.  When I used it with a low vision student, and 
put vertical problems on the board, he thought it looked too 
messy.  The white background with the white tiles and black 
lettering seemed to blend together.  When we made a horizontal 
problem 4+5 = 9 the student had trouble reading the problem.  If 
the numbers and the operation sign were separated, he was a bit 
more successful.  Placing a blue piece of construction paper on 
the board helped.

Sue Mangis

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