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About Numicon
The patterns are structured so number relationships can be seen and experienced. Numicon encourages an understanding of number and arithmetic relationships. See the video below- Making Numbers Real- An introduction to Numicon presented by Dr Tony Wing
Numicon meets all students learning needs! Not many programmes can claim that.
Relationships and operations are also patterns that are easily seen in this well-written and researched programme. This experience and understanding of 'pattern' is essential for successful mental and written arithmetic. The Numicon programme is easy to follow, with clear step-by-step instructions illustrated with photographs. The multi-sensory teaching approach appeals to differing learning styles. Teachers find that pupils are motivated by the imagery and develop positive attitudes to maths. See Presentation of the benefits and philosophy of Numicon under Resources. Sequence of the Programme
Firm Foundations , Closing the Gap and 1st Steps, teach children about number- patterns and their sequences in number, patterns working together to make new patterns, addition and subtraction patterns. Closing the Gap is written specifically for children with Learning Needs. Numicon at the Seaside is a Big Book with songs on the accompanying CD. It completes this wonderfully rich 'beginning maths' programme. Kits One, Two and Three build on these concepts and further develop the use of numbers within 1000, including multiplication, division, money, time and measurement opportunities. Talented and gifted students will enjoy- Investigations with Numicon. The activities in this NEW Kit start at a low threshold and use the Numicon Shapes and Number Rods as a starting point to allow the majority of pupils to be involved at a basic level. However the activities have been design as open-ended investigations and give plenty of opportunity for gifted and talented children to develop their skills and the take the challenges to higher levels. Ideally from Years 3-6, but also applicable to younger students and intermediate students. Special Needs Numicon is particularly supportive of children with dyslexia and dyscalculia. A condition known as 'dyscalculia' can be associated with dyslexia. It is the difficulty of understanding number and number problems. These people have difficulty understanding spoken instruction and visualising, but when they can see and handle the Numicon shapes and participate in the Numicon activities, they are easily able to make significant connections in their understanding and problem solving. Types of Kits:There are several several kits in the Numicon product range to meet different needs:
Kits can also be converted to the next level as children progress through the programme with Conversion Kits which contain the teaching manual and new equipment that will be needed. All components are also available separately and are listed under Accessories where you will also find other Numicon products not included in the Kits. Programme overview click here. The Numicon Project is a commitment to students with learning challenges even though they are highly intelligent. Click here for details.
NUMICON- WINNER OF ANOTHER AWARD!
UK Education Resource Awards: Supplier of the Year – Under £1 million Numicon Ltd The judges described Numicon as "a young vibrant company, with a real educational belief – in transforming learners’ achievement and enjoyment of maths. Their multi-sensory maths teaching programmes show an awareness of environmental issues and they undertake to make their services eco-friendly. The training and support options available as standard are seen as a plus in making the concepts work to develop teachers’ skills. Their Numicon Sharing Corner gives teachers and parents the chance to contact others to share successful ways they have been making the most of the multi-sensory approach." Evidence and research of success
Multi Sensory Maths ResearchGathering Evidence for Numicon (1997 - 2007) Cambridgeshire Local Authority Case Study Research Summary - Learning about numbers with patterns Multi-sensory approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics - Leeds Report Report on Research Phase of Every Child Counts – Summer Term 2008 Click here To see a summary of how Numicon features in the report click here. What Works for Children with Mathematical Difficulties? – April 2009 Click here Note: For NZ and Australian readers, Wave 1= Quality first general classroom teaching, Wave 2= Wave 1 plus Group intervention with structured programme to assist learners who are behind, Wave 3= Wave 1 and 2 plus Individualised or very small group programme to accelerate and maximise learning while minimising the performance gap for children with learning difficulties. More Numicon research Click here Children with Down Syndrome learning maths- a study from Israel Click here Auditory vs. Visual/Tactile Math Intervention for a Student with Down Syndrome, Melanie Potter, The College of St. Rose, UK. Click here The Video below can be used with a child with learning difficulties- 'Find the missing Numicon shape'. Uploaded by a New Zealand teacher.
The Numicon Project The Numicon Project is a collaborative endeavour to facilitate children’s understanding and enjoyment of maths.
We appreciate the complexity of these early number ideas and seek to foster the self-belief necessary to achieve in the face of difficulty; we are not about ‘making maths easy’. We believe that the combination of action, imagery and conversation helps children to structure their experiences, which is such a vital skill for both their mathematical and their overall development. By watching and listening to what children do and say, we and many others are finding that our developing multi-sensory approach provides learners with the opportunity to play to their strengths, thereby releasing their potential to enjoy, understand and achieve in maths. This enjoyment in achievement is also shared by teachers and parents. We strive to support teachers’ subject knowledge and pedagogy with teaching materials, training and ongoing feedback as we continue to develop a better understanding of how we can work together to encourage all learners in the vital early stages of their own mathematical journey. Investigations with Numicon is the first programme to be published under this umbrella.
We hold training courses in New Zealand and Australia frequently. Check back often to see when the next course is being held. If you would like to become a trainer for your organisation or area, please contact Margi. margi@numicon.co.nz Tony Wing B.Ed., PhD Always keen to try out theoretical teaching ideas first in classrooms, Tony was delighted in 1995 to be able to begin developing in schools the teaching approaches that now underlie the Numicon programme. Together with Romey Tacon he was granted two consecutive Teacher Training Agency (now TDA) Teacher Research awards to research and develop approaches to mental arithmetic teaching in infant schools, and the tested outcomes of this research now form the basis of the Numicon Foundation Kit, and Numicon Kits 1 and 2. In 2006 Tony took early retirement from the University of Brighton in order to devote his time more fully to the further development of Numicon in practice. Romey Tacon B.Ed Sussex University Ruth Atkinson Cert Ed. in Primary Education Ruth took early retirement in 2004 in order to concentrate on developing the Numicon teaching materials and training. She has recently moved abroad with her family but continues with work on Numicon and returns to England to deliver training for Local Authorities and to train Numicon trainers. Margi Leech Diploma in Teaching, Higher diploma of Teaching Margi graduated from Auckland Teacher's College in 1976. During her years of teaching, she has taught children ages 5-14 in New Zealand and Hawaii where she was also involved in curriculum writing and exploring education from many cultures and adapting curriculums in many settings from refugee camps and home schooling to regular classroom environments. Her leadership in Music Education took her to many schools as being part of the 'Musikit' a music programme used in most NZ schools and as conductor for choir festivals. As a home school parent she lead many initiatives and programmes for students of all ages. Today, she is NZ and Australia's lead Numicon trainer and distributor for this exciting programme. She is also a substitute/relieving teacher in her daughter's school. Her passion has always been for all children learning well and with a practical application. Her experience of working with students with a Maori and Pacific background has enriched her appreciation for a variety of hands-on approaches, quality and best-practice teaching. Margi often contributes to the development of Numicon for students with learning difficulties. One of her daughters is gifted with dyslexia and her other daughter has Down Syndrome. Margi's introduction to Numicon came as a result of being invited to run a trial of Numicon in NZ with the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association. Following the success of that trial, Margi has introduced Numicon to NZ and Australia. Margi is active in promoting the education of children with Down Syndrome. She is a member of the NZDSA Education Advisory Committee and presents regular courses for teachers and parents. What others have told us about using NUMICON Nancy- We have kicked off our year with 7 students using the Closing the Gap Kit in individual sessions (1 more than last year). The teacher aides, myself and the children absolutely love the program. Parents are commenting on how their children have changed their view of Maths. We are thrilled with the progress of a 10 year old girl with William's Syndrome who couldn't count past 10 when we started her on Numicon and now she can tell us numbers that are more/less than a digit up to 20. She can add and subtract to 10 in her head and to 20 with the shapes. She tells us she sees the shape in her head and puts them together etc. Maths finally makes sense to her. Nicola Our staff are most impressed with the Numicon materials and we have decided to look at buying the additional materials to support the items purchased from you at the end of last year. (This school has allocated a Bag of shapes to every child in the school in their Stationery List.) Geraldine One of our students has autism and Numicon is one of the highlights of his day. He is so excited to open the box everyday.
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Numicon New Zealand
Numicon's imagery uses patterns to represent each numeral.