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Schools Speaking the Same Math Language (Universal Math Language)

Schools Speaking the Same Math Language (Universal Math Language)

Speaking a Common Math Language - This resource provides a chart of words that allow for a common math and art language in the school. This just means that students will all know the same words at each grade. The article calls it “critical terminology between math and art.” These are vocabulary words that allow teachers to teach all of the students a set of words. By the time they graduate high school, they will know a bunch of these, “critical terms”.

One of the best math teaching strategies is teaching the language of math - Math is a language all of its own. So the best way to teach math is by teaching with the language of math. That means using the correct vocabulary, teaching in unique ways, and finding good resources that really help kids learn. In this resource all of these are found including links to other helpful teaching strategies.

Math Language - “In math, students must build a shared understanding of mathematical terms to successfully share and refine their ideas.” There are three steps to teaching a common math language in this article: 1. Provide a clear explanation. 2. Give students strategies and models. 3. Provide ongoing formative assessment. By following these steps, it will help your students to think more clearly about their ideas and the ideas of their peer.

Sources:

“Math Language.” Math Language | Power Up What Works, Power Up: What Works, powerupwhatworks.org/strategy-guide/math-language.

“Math Teaching Strategies: The Language of Math.” Teacher Support Force, Teacher Support Force: Teaching Children Reading and Math, 2011, www.teacher-support-force.com/math-teaching-strategies.html.​

Riley, Susan. “Speaking a Common Math Language.” EducationCloset, The Vision Board, LLC, 29 Oct. 2016, educationcloset.com/2013/03/01/speaking-a-common-math-language/.

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