Vocabulary in math curricula is the key to understanding deep math concepts. One math teacher put it this way:
“Problem solving and the language of good problems perform a very important function in mathematics; they allow us to bring a touch of reality into the mathematics classroom and help students prepare for the mathematics they will do in real life.” (Giganti, 26)
Teachers can bridge the gap between abstract math concepts and real-life application and understanding by incorporating appropriate writing activities into the math curriculum. These five principles will guide teachers in devising and implementing writing activities that develop math vocabulary.
Students Must Write Often in Math Class
Marilyn Burns has written, “Over a school year, writing in math class seems to change for students from a tag-on demand to math assignments, to a reasonable extension of what they’re doing in class, and finally to a natural and integral part of their math learning.”
Writing activities needn’t take long in class. They can be five-minute journal activities, one-paragraph explanations, or fill-in-the-blank word activities. The important thing is to be consistent in assigning writing tasks. Whether it’s everyday or once weekly, writing often is the first key to developing a deeper understanding of math through words.
Providing a Model to Students Builds Success
In order to make writing activities viable, teachers need to model appropriate writing. Typically, students are not used to writing in math classes, and often feel uncomfortable doing so. Providing a sample of what the teacher wants to see in writing tasks will give students a clear vision of what they will create.
Moreover, modeling gives students confidence in writing. When the see examples and non-examples, students will be able to begin writing – often the most difficult part of the task.
Ideas Are the Key to Mathematics Writing
Math teachers need to stay focused on the objectives of the lesson, and use writing activities to meet those math objectives. If the objective is for students to represent numbers as fractions and decimals, then a good writing activity topic would be to compare fractions and decimals using prose.
However, students shouldn’t be evaluated on grammar or conventions. Instead, the ideas in the writing should be the focal point of the writing. Students need to feel empowered to express their understanding of the math, and not get hung up on the formalities that may be important in other curricula.
Precise Language Shows Solid Understanding
On the other hand, one thing that is very important in math vocabulary activities is the precision of language used. Math is an exact science, and the difference between words like “of” and “from” can change the meaning of an expression drastically.
Part of mathematics literacy is an understanding of the precision of math, and how language reflects that precision. The definition of a circle is illustrative. When asked to describe a circle, students may write, “a round shape” or a “polygon without corners.” These are descriptive, but insufficient to identify a circle specifically.
The awareness that the exactness of mathematics depends upon precise language is an important idea that students need to develop over time to be successful at it in later grades. Writing and vocabulary activities can help students cultivate that understanding.
The Use of Academic Language Is Important
When implementing and evaluating vocabulary-based activities, teachers should set the expectation for students to use academic language. Students’ facility with academic language correlates to achievement in other areas, and will help them develop better overall language skills.
Consistent use of academic language will give students an advantage in other content areas, but it will also make their writing relevant to the types of prompts and questions they will encounter in math courses throughout their student tenures.
Vocabulary is the tool used to describe the world. While students are learning about the world through numbers, the use of correct vocabulary will help them describe those numbers more accurately and concretely. Writing activities in the math curricula can be an important part of helping students to develop the vocabulary and the understanding of math that is so often elusive. These five principles help teachers design math vocabulary and writing activities that are robust and effective.
Sources:
Burns, Marilyn. Writing in Math Class: A Resource for Grades 2 – 8. Math Solutions Publications. White Plains, NY: 1995.
Giganti, P. “The Role of Language in Problem Solving.” ComMuniCator. Vol. 21 No. 1. Clayton, CA: 2007.
Heller, R., and Greenleaf, C. Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement. Alliance for Excellent Education, Washington, DC: 2007.
Klecker, B, and Pollock, M. Theory into Practice: Congruency of Research-Based Literacy Instruction in High and Low Performing Schools. Morehead State University. Morehead, KY: 2004
Richard Stowell - Rich Stowell teaches educational technology at the University of San Francisco and high school math at a charter school in Richmond, ...
