Indiana Mathematics Initiative

[Michele Justus-Hobbs]

I just left a content training that myself and the other select cadre worked on to cover Algebraic Functions. We also included an ISTEP strand piece dealing with this topic. Part of what I was to share was how to institute all of the math vocabulary in the best way--especially when ISTEP vocab. changes in terms as students get older. The way I do it for my whole class would help all struggling students with vocab. The main thing is to make teaching math vocabulary as deliberately as you teach any other content vocabulary. Sometimes because either we don't fully understand it, or we feel EDM does a good job of weaving it into the content, we don't always treat math vocabulary as we should. I pointed out that usually when I introduce a new unit...or at least new vocab. that I look at it like I do my 4 Block "Word Block". Many activities that you do to introduce Spelling, Lang. Arts, etc. words will help immensely with Math. For example, word activities such as "Guess the Covered Word", Cloze activities, Webs, Guess the Word using only the initial letter, etc. can be AMAZING ways to let your kids have fun with what are often large, cumbersome words. By using word games, etc. that they know, are comfortable with, and enjoy...these BIG MATH words aren't quite so scary. (Another fun thing we do for math words that mean the same is make a word "Name Collection Box". For example, put the word "Number Model" as your target "word" instead of number. Introduce the ISTEP and non-EDM terms such as "Number Sentence", Equation, and Expression or Algebraic Expression. Make copies or post these "Name Collection Boxes" with your Word Wall or a prominent place in your room. Just like all things in EDM, this vocab. won't be used or meaningful to all right away, but your high kids will work at trying to use the more grown up phrases when possible and for others, in years to come, when this information "spirals" on future tests and class discussions, they just might see a visual of your poster-size Name Collection Box in their minds from 3rd grade. Good luck! Michele

[Angie Kelich]

Keeping a Word Wall of math vocabulary is extremely helpful in your classroom. I've kept a word wall that's specifically math for 4 years now. Encouraging and constantly prompting students to answer questions mathematically correctly by using proper math vocabulary is very empowering because you'll start hearing students using those words as part of their every day classroom conversation. It's amazing to watch the direction of the discourse in your room change as you continue "planting those seeds."

[Kim Dobis]

I've posted this question to the EM list I belong to but no one has responded so I thought I'd post it here.

I have had a Math Word Wall for the past 2 years in my room. I've typed up the words and included pictures/diagrams for each word. Some of the words I had to copy pictures from the TE or SJ. For example the vocabulary word is numerator and I typed the word, typed a fraction and drew an arrow to the numerator. I pasted all the words on card stock just as I did my 4-block Word Wall Words. I currently have my Math Word Wall posted on a wall in ABC order. My question to everyone is how do other people who utilize a Math Word Wall post them
*Do you put them in ABC order?
*Do you post them by Unit?
*Do you post them by Strand?
Thanks in advance-
Kim Dobis