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Math Vocabulary Words

$math vocabulary words$

Math vocabulary words and strategies for teaching vocabulary to primary students.

Many students struggle with math vocabulary. These students require a teacher to use specific strategies for teaching elementary math vocabulary.

This is especially true for teaching second language learners.

The use of realia as part of the elementary math vocabulary lesson is critical. This will enable "comprehensible input."

Along with math word walls, a teacher can explicitly teach vocabulary for math in a variety of ways. All students can keep math dictionaries.

It also helps to link math terms to each other. Adding in kinesthetic movements will greatly aid ELL students understanding of math vocabulary.

Expect students to draw, write and orally explain their understanding of math vocabulary words.

Remember that math vocabulary words can be directional Tier 2 words such as "before," "behind," and "just after."

As the depth of content vocabulary increases, Tier 3 instruction in vocabulary words becomes critical.

Strategies for Teaching Elementary Math Vocabulary

Provide lots of opportunities for students to hear and talk about math vocabulary.

1. Encourage group work. Frequent cooperative learning activities provide students with the opportunity to hear others’ ideas and vocabulary.

2. Share what you hear. Listen for interesting vocabulary words being used and share at the end of the class. (i.e. “In this group I heard someone say…”)

3. Build a Vocabulary Word Wall. Display key words on a “brick.” Play class games to provide students with the opportunity to practice.

4. Have a Word of the Day. It might be “polygon” during a geometry unit, or “denominator” during the fraction unit. Give students points for using the word correctly during the day.

5. Math Word Webs. Give students a math word and have them work in a group to brainstorm as many words as they can that go with that word. Groups share their words to make a class web.

6. Sort and Label. Identify important vocabulary words for a unit or topic. Have students work with partners or groups to sort words into categories based on their math meanings. After words are sorted, have the students decide on a title or label for each group of words. Ask students to present and justify their groupings.

7. Involve Families. Make an effort to involve the families. Families need to have a stake in the mathematics language their children are learning, particularly as it may be different from their own school experiences. Invite families to Math Nights, Puzzle Nights, Problem Solving Pow-Wows...anything that can encourage family oriented math.

8. Everyday Words. Teach specific lessons for vocabulary words that have different meanings in everyday language as opposed to their mathematics vocabulary meanings. These words include: similar, angle, foot, factor, mean, product, difference, angle and division.

Grade Level Math Vocabulary Words

Grade level words for a Math Vocabulary Word Wall

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