1. Creating a Language Rich Math Classroom
Dimitra Korogiannis
Fordson High School Math Teacher

2. Language Rich Math Classroom Objectives
Content Objectives
Teachers will identify classroom strategies that will begin to create a language rich math classroom
Language Objectives
Teachers will discuss and summarize the strategies that will begin to create a language rich math classroom

3. Linguistic Rich Math Classroom Resources
Mathematical Conversations to Transform Algebra Class
Gives 3 examples of conversations to help transform your Algebra classroom
Using Literacy Strategies to Teach Precalculus and Calculus
Provides examples of strategies that can be used in all math classrooms, but gives specific examples for Calculus

4. Language Rich Math Classroom My Background
Linguistics
How many languages do you speak?
Raise your hand if you are bilingual.
Raise your hand if you are trilingual.
Which languages do you speak?
Did anyone mention math?
Discuss math as a language
Iblog
Iblog.dearbornschools.org/korogiannispd/

5. Linguistic Rich Math Classroom
Value of transforming your math classroom into a language rich environment

6. Language Rich Math Classroom Math is a language.
Students have inexperience with reading mathematics
Reading math is different
Creating a language rich math classroom goes beyond story problems
Be sensitive to students
Vocabulary can be overwhelming

7. Language Rich Math Classroom How?
Provide clear definitions
Interact with math
Explain etymology of words
Frayer Models
Create Word Walls

8. Language Rich Math Classroom Classroom Culture
Conversations and practices
Traditionally math classrooms focus on practices
Help students recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their own interpretation
Build on student ideas
Make Math come alive!
Develop norms

9. Language Rich Math Classroom Clear Definitions
Reduces the language barrier
Discover definitions using GSP
Discover definitions using patty paper
Write definitions using classify and differentiate

10. Language Rich Math Classroom Clear Definitions
Precise
Mathematical terms
Student discovered and written

11. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions
Objective:
Students will demonstrate understanding of basic geometry terms.
Students will write definitions

12. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions using GSP
Makes geometry come alive
Provides instant feedback
Basic sketchpad commands match the basics of geometry
Create a sketch, discover a theorem or definition
Thus reducing the language barrier

13. Language Rich Math Classroom Cultivate the Culture
Discuss the definitions
Place the words on the word wall as students discover definitions
Model how students should organize their definitions (My class will do on a foldable)
Provide time for students to
Pair share
Share in a square

14. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions using GSP
Toolbar and Toolbox
Discover Point
Select the first icon with the dot
On the screen there is an arrow with a dot. Stop the arrow where you would like to place your point.
The dot is highlighted.
Select Display
Select Show label
Create another point and label it

15. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions using GSP Extensions
Ask students to continue to practice creating and labeling points
How are students labeling points?
To automatically label new points:
Edit/Preferences/Test

16. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions using GSP
Construct a line
Select two points C and D
Select Construct
Select Line

17. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover Clear Definitions using GSP
Construct a Segment
Select two points A and B
Select Construct
Select Segment

18. Language Rich Math Classroom Cultivate the Culture
Compare the constructions to encourage discussion
Sample Questions:
How can a line have an infinite length when it is made of points with no size?

19. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover with GSP
Midpoint
Select the segment
Not the endpoints (opportunity to discuss endpoints)
Select Construct
Select Midpoint
(If students are not selecting the segment then they will not be able to select the midpoint.)
Move point C.
My initial thought is________
Now I am thinking ___________because…

20. Language Rich Math Classroom Discover with GSP
Midpoint
Select the line
Select Construct
Select Midpoint
What do you notice?

21. Language Rich Math Classroom Algebra or Coordinate Geometry
Midpoint Formula
Left click to select point
Right click to select coordinates
Use midpoint formula

22. Language Rich Math Classroom Cultivate the Culture
How to label a segment
Measure the segment. It will show the label
My initial thought was ________________ and now I am thinking _____________

23. Language Rich Math Classroom Write Clear Definitions (Serra 48)
Classify your term. What is it?
Differentiate your term. How does it differ from others in that class?
Test your definition with a counterexample.
Example:
A square is a 4 sided figure that has four congruent sides and four right angles.
Annotate to introduce each word
You have introduced more academic vocabulary– classify, differentiate, counterexample

24. Language Rich Math Classroom Clear Definitions (Serra 48)
Define the following terms:
Parallel lines
Perpendicular lines

25. Language Rich Math Classroom Clear Definitions (Serra 48)
Parallel lines are lines in the same plane that never meet
Perpendicular lines are lines that meet at 90 degree angles.

26. Language Rich Math Classroom Cultivating Conversation.
Why is it important to state that parallel lines are in the same plane

27. Language Rich Math Classroom Etymology of Words
Geometry
Polynomial
Pentagon

28. Language Rich Math Classroom Have Fun with Words
What did the acorn say after it grew up? Gee, I’m a tree! (geometry)

29. What other words begin with co? Points
Coplanar
What other words begin with co?
Points
No measure
Lines
length
Planes are two-dimensional
Length
Height
Space is three-dimentsional
Width

30. Language Rich Math Classroom Resources
Serra, M. (2003). Discovering geometry: An investigative approach (3rd ed.). Emeryville, CA: Key Curriculum Press.
Szydlik, J. (2015). Mathematical Conversations to Transform Algebra Clas. The Mathematics Teacher, 108(9), Retrieved July 27, 2015.
Tena, R., & Debra, G. (2015). Using Literacy Strategies to Teach Precalculus and Calculus. The Mathematics Teacher, 108(9), Retrieved July 27,
Kimberling, C. (2003). Geometry in action: A discovery approach using the Geometer's Sketchpad. Emeryville, CA: Key College Pub.