Maths Resources and Programs to use at Home
SPELD NSW has brought together a collection of the programs, apps, games and resources that we like to use with students with maths difficulties for you to use at home.
Online Programs and Apps - Number sense, addition and subtraction
Number sense and basic addition and subtraction are often an area of difficulty for students with numeracy difficulties, particularly those students with dyscalculia. These app focus on understanding number, counting, number magnitude and relationships, place value and addition and subtraction.
Age: 4 to 10
Targets: Understanding Numbers. Number Magnitude and Relationships, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
A games-based program rom Nessy which covers number and number sense, addition and subtraction and multiplication and division. There are printable worksheets available once games are mastered for each skill.
Age: 4 to 10
Targets: Understanding Numbers, Counting, Addition and Subtraction, Place Value
The Number Race is a free computer game aimed at ages 4 to 10 for consolidation of basic number sense, counting and addition and subtraction skills.
The Number Catcher follows on from The Number Race with a focus on two-digit numbers. Start with The Number Race and then move on to Number Catcher!
Age: 5 to 14
Targets: Counting, Number Magnitude and Relationships, Fractions
Pearl Diver is a free number line app where you place numbers and (later on) factions on a number line. iOS only.
Age: 4 to 10
Targets: Understanding Numbers, Number Magnitude and Relationships, Addition and Subtraction, Place Value
DragonBox Numbers is aimed at building number sense. Fun and engaging monsters visually represent number and are sliced, compared and stacked.
DragonBox Big Numbers builds on Numbers and targets multi-digit numbers, long addition and subtraction.
Available on iOS and Google Play; a subscription to Kahoot! Kids is required.
Age: 4 to 8
Targets: Understanding Numbers, Counting, Number Magnitude and Relationships, Addition & Subtraction, Place Value
Quick Maths Jnr is an engaging and fun number sense app which covers counting, basic addition and subtraction and place value.
Age: 4 to 10
Targets: Number Magnitude and Relationships, Addition and Subtraction
Dexteria Dots is a simple app that targets basic addition and subtraction.
Age: 6 to 14
Targets: Addition and Subtraction, Place Value
MathEdge Add and Subtract is visually simple app which can be a great step between games and doing sums on paper. Targets single and multi-digit addition and subtraction and place value. Would be good for students with dysgraphia.
iOS app only. A free trial is available. Can come in a bundle with other MathEdge apps.
Online Programs and Apps - Multiplication and Division
Multiplication and division can be hard to master.
Age: 7 to 12
Targets: Single digit multiplication
Unlike the majority of timetable apps Multiply Pizza teaches not just rote learning of timetables but the conceptual understanding of multiplication. Students run various restaurants which they design, starting with a pizza restaurant. Concepts are shown and reviewed visually and mathematically.
Free iOS app only.
Age: 7 to 12
Targets: Single and multi-digit multiplication, place value
MathEdge Multiplication is for students who already understand multiplication and just require more practise. Visually scaffolds carrying. It is visually clear and uncluttered. A good bridge between games and doing multiplication on paper.
iOS app only. A free trial is available. Can come in a bundle with other MathEdge apps.
Age: 7 to 12
Targets: Single and multi-digit division, place value
MathEdge Division is for students who already understand division and just require more practise. Visually scaffolds division. It is visually clear and uncluttered. A good bridge between games and doing division on paper.
iOS app only. A free trial is available. Can come in a bundle with other MathEdge apps.
Age: 7 to 14
Targets: Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Quick Maths has simple visuals in an app that helps the transition from games to paper. Good for students who understand how addition, subtraction, division and/multiplication work but need practice to learn number facts and fluency in these operations. Covers all operations but you can select one operation at a time. This app is timed and so may not suit all learners.
iOS app only.
Online Programs and Apps - Algebra and Geometry
These maths games and activities are a great resource to practice algebra skills.
Age: 7 to 14
Targets: Algebra
Despite saying 5+, Dragon Box Algebra 5 + is a great place to start when introducing algebra concepts before moving on to the Dragon Box 12+ app as algebra fundamentals need to be understood well. Uses engaging characters.
iOS and Google Play.
Age: 9 to 14
Targets: Algebra
Algebra Touch is a good app to move onto once some algebra is mastered. This app is more engaging than paper and allows students to practice algebra concepts to achieve mastery.
iOS and Google Play.
Age: 9 to 14
Targets: Geometry
Dragon Box Elements builds geometric shapes and explores properties of the shapes. Great for developing a fundamental understanding of how shapes relate to each other. Includes angles.
iOS and Google Play.
Maths Programs and Other Resources
Maths Programs and Resources can support students with maths difficulties.
SPELD NSW sells a range of numeracy games and resources. Visit our Bookshop to view the range.
Khan Academy is free online school that covers a range of topics. It has a full maths curriculum and includes video explainers and online activities.
You can access the curriculum by maths skills or by year level. It can be used by students but the explainer videos can be really helpful for parents who want to understand how to explain different maths concepts before working with a student.
Jenny Eather has created a collection of free resources including an online maths dictionary and posters and other downloadable resources.
Ronit Bird has an excellent range of workbooks which can be used as a maths intervention program for students with maths difficulties. There are also a collection of free resources on her website.
Maths U See is a manipulatives-based numeracy program aim at students who have maths difficulties.
Maths U See has different levels. These covers foundational numeracy skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, factors, decimals and percentages and more advanced skills including algebra, geometry and calculus.
A range of manipulatives and resources are required and so can be expensive.
The Maths Mastery Series is an Australian scripted direct instruction mathematics programs which is appropriate for intervention for students working at a middle primary school level.
Junior Elementary Maths Mastery (JEM) is for middle primary and upper primary remedial students. Junior Elementary Maths Mastery Plus (JEMM+) is also suited for middle primary and upper primary remedial students. Elementary Maths Mastery (EMM) is designed for upper primary, lower secondary and remedial students.
Teacher handbooks and student workbooks are required to provide each these programs and so can be expensive.
SPELD NSW recommends, if possible, that students with literacy or numeracy difficulties work with experienced learning support teachers and/or specialist tutors. SPELD NSW maintains a Referral Database of specialist tutors and allied health professionals. Families can contact our InfoLine for a referral to a tutor. These tutors have training and experience in learning difficulties and evidence-based literacy or numeracy instruction which enables them to provide tailored instructions that meet the complex needs of individual students.
Parents or family members can provide students intervention or additional practice of fundamental literacy or numeracy skills if access to specialist support is not available. There are a number of programs and resources that can be used by parents or family members in the home environment. They do not require specialist training and can come with explicit instructions on how to use them. We have included a number of these programs and resources on this page. Please be aware that not all programs will work for all students and no one program will cover all aspects of literacy or numeracy instruction.
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