Visualising negative numbers

[watervole]

 I have a math pupil who came to me because she'd slipped through the net at school.  She isn't stupid, but she locks down into virtual silence if she can't understand something and stops paying attention or making any real effort.

I've made quite good progress with her in several areas, but negative numbers are a major stumbling block.

Her basic

Comments

[vjezkova]

This looks like a special problem - possibly that of dyscalculia. You did everything possible, the girl is not stupid - yes, this sounds like a kind of disorder. Are there any special textbooks to use?
And you are a saint anyway...because I am extremely bad at maths myself!

[watervole]

Not dyscalculia.

She can do excellent addition, etc. on paper.

I think it's more 'fear of failure' than anything else.

She hates to try anything new.

[watervole]

Not dyscalculia.

She can do excellent addition, etc. on paper.

I think it's more 'fear of failure' than anything else.

She hates to try anything new.

[vjezkova]

I see. The more I admire you!!!

[sallymn]

I don't have any suggestions (there's a reason I never became a teacher, I learned at work that I was not very good at teaching.training people) but I have to say, I admire you for doing as much as you are, I hope you find an answer.