Things All Math Teachers Should Know About Vocabulary

Presented by:Julie Frawley, Math Collaborative Planner Jennifer Lake, Literacy Collaborative PlannerSt. Croix River Education District

Vocabulary Review• Anita Archer demonstrates vocabulary review in an 8th

grade math class▫ http://explicitinstruction.org/?page_id=319

• Partner activity: active engagement and vocabulary

http://explicitinstruction.org/?page_id=319

Components of Effective Vocabulary Instruction

▫An advance organizer▫Consistent instructional process▫Well-organized instruction▫Time dedicated to important academic words▫Visual representation of the words being

taught▫Written record

Kinsella, http://www.scoe.org/docs/ah/AH_kinsella1.pdf

4 Parts to Vocabulary Instruction

1. Introduce Word▫Write word on board▫Say word and have students repeat.

2. Introduce Meaning for word: Student Friendly Definition▫The largest number that is possible is the

maximum. So, in a group of numbers, the largest number is called the ___________.

4 Parts to Vocabulary Instruction (cont.)3. Provide Examples

The money you and four friends have in your pocket is as follows: $13, $20, $1, $5, $12. The maximum is $20.

The vertex of the parabola that opens downward is the maximum value of the function.

4. Check for Understanding▫If you have a set of numbers, how would you find

the maximum?▫If you are looking at a graph how do you find a

maximum value?▫Tell your partner a time when you needed to

determine a maximum.

Websites for student-friendly definitions and student reference

• Icoach Math provides an extensive dictionary that includes examples and visuals. http://www.icoachmath.com/math_dictionary/Inverse_Variation.html

• Study Geek provides tutorials and lessons a variety of math concepts and includes a math vocabulary section. http://www.studygeek.org/math_vocabulary/

• The McGraw-Hill eGlossary provides defintions sorted by grade level. Students can click on the speaker icon to have words and definitions read. http://www.glencoe.com/apps/eGlossary612/grade.php

• A Maths Dictionary for Kids is an animated, interactive online math dictionary. http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/

Hands-On Activities

•Word Sort•Frayer

Word Sort•End or beginning of chapter•Teacher must stand back and allow students

to brainstorm categories•How:

▫Provide word list▫Have students look for what words have in

common▫Have students separate based on what they

find in common ▫Have students label each group as a category▫Remind students to have justifications for

grouping▫Have students share out

Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary, Janet Allen, 2007

Frayer

Definition CharacteristicsA polygon with three sides Three sides

Three anglesAngles add up to 180

degrees Right, isosceles,

scalene Obtuse, acute,

equilateral

Examples/models Non-examplesRight Triangle

TRIANGLE

Venn Diagrams• Algebra:

▫ Number sets▫ Equation & expression

• Graphs:▫ Linear & quadratic▫ Trig functions

• Statistics:▫ Different graphic displays▫ Mean, median, mode

• Geometry:▫ Polygons▫ Theorems & postulates▫ 2-d & 3-d

• Number Sense▫ Multiples

MULTIPLE OF 2

MULTIPLE OF 3

2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16

6, 12, 18

3, 9, 15

Place the multiplesof 2 & 3 into the Venn Diagram.