Loddon Mallee Numeracy and Mathematics Module 3 Mathematical Language Mathematical Literacy

Mathematical Language Words Symbols Graphics

Mathematical Language Many problems which students experience in mathematics are ‘language’ related. Understanding Knowledge Contextual eg: consider the context of a teacher who is introducing students to the concept of ‘volume’…..and the student who thinks, ….‘Isn’t that the control on the TV?’ Paul Swan, Mathematical Language

Mathematical Language A point to consider: Many words we use in mathematics have different meanings in the ‘real world’ eg: volume, space ……..

Mathematical Language A point to consider many words have more than one meaning

Mathematical Language ‘more’ - addition If John had 14 pencils and then was given 12 more. How many pencils does he have now? Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths terms and tables Perth: Journey Australia and R.I.C Publications ‘more’ - subtraction If John has 20 pencils and I have 7 pencils, how many more pencils does John have?

Mathematical Language A point to consider: the specialised nature of mathematics vocabulary

Mathematical Language Specialised mathematical vocabulary: eg: if you do not know that ‘sum’ means to add and ‘product ‘ means to multiply then any word problem that includes these terms will cause difficulties. The word ‘sum’ is often used to describe written algorithms

Mathematical Language A point to consider: many students experience reading problems, miss words or have difficulty comprehending written work

Mathematical Language A point to consider: mathematics text may [and often does], contain more than one concept per sentence

Mathematical Language A point to consider: mathematical text may be set out in such a way that the eye must travel in a different pattern than from reading left to right

Mathematical Language Graphics: representations may be confusing because of formatting variations graphics will need to be read differently from text graphics need to be understood for mathematical text to make sense

Mathematical Language A point to consider: mathematical text may consist of words as well as numeric and non numeric symbols

Mathematical Language Symbols: can be confusing because they look alike √ different representations can be used to describe the same process * x complex and precise ideas are represented in symbols

Mathematical Language Vocabulary: mathematics vocabulary can be confusing because words can mean different things in mathematical and non-mathematical contexts [volume, interest, acute, sign………] two words sound the same [plain/ plane, root/route,..] more than one word is used to describe the same concept [add, plus, and..] there is a large volume of related mathematical vocabulary

Mathematical Language Paul Swan Strategies which may help: model correct use of language mathematics dictionaries explain the origin of words and or historical context acknowledge anomalies brainstorm use Newman Analysis practices use concept maps, mind maps and or graphic organisers to demonstrate connections speak in complete sentences- essential for fact memorisation [stimulus and response pairing]

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Explain the origin of words: eg: Prefixes- deca- decagon, decade Suffixes- gon- comes from the Greek gonia or angle, corner Historical context: eg: Brahmagupta, an Indian mathematician..in his book AD 628, Brahmasphutasiddhanta [The Opening of the Universe]..the book is believed to mark the first appearance of negative numbers in the way we know them today ICE-EM Mathematics Secondary 1B

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Acknowledge/explain/ historical context….. of anomalies: eg: the distance around a ‘shape’ [perimeter] / the circumference of a circle the [approximate] value of pi [3.14.] bar /column graph

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan The Newman Five Point Analysis This technique was developed by a teacher who wanted to pinpoint where her students were experiencing language problems in mathematics It was developed to determine where the breakdown in understanding is occurring Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Newman Analysis 1.Reading: ‘Please read the question to me. If you don’t know a word leave it out.’ Reading error If a student could not read a key word or symbol in the written problem to the extent that it prevented him or her proceeding further an appropriate problem solving path. Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan The Newman Analysis 2. Comprehension: ‘Tell me what the question is asking you to do.’ Comprehension error The student is able to read all the words in the question, but had not grasped the overall meaning of the words and therefore, was unable to identify the operation. Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Newman Analysis 3. Transformation: ‘Tell me how you are going to find the answer.’ Transformation error The student had understood what the question s wanted him/her to find out but was unable to identify the operation, or sequence of operations, needed to solve the problem. Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Newman Analysis 4. Process skills: ‘Show me what to do to get the answer. Tell me what you are doing as you work.’ Process skills error The child identified an appropriate operation, or sequence of operations, but did not know the procedures necessary to carry out the operations accurately. Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Language Strategies which may help Paul Swan Newman Analysis 5. Encoding: ‘Now write down the answer to the question.’ Encoding Error The student correctly worked out the solution to a problem, but could not express the solution in an acceptable written form. Newman Analysis References Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P. [2005] Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and RIC publications

Mathematical Literacy DEECD To be mathematically literate, individuals need competencies to varying degrees around: –Mathematical thinking and reasoning –Mathematical argumentation –Mathematical communication –Modelling –Problem solving and posing –Representation –Symbols –Tools and technology –Niss 2009, Steen 2001

Mathematical Language Paul Swan LinkLink Bana, J., Marshall, L., and Swan, P., 2005 Maths Terms and Tables. Perth: Journey Australia and R.I.C. Publications