Using Writing and Vocabulary in Mathematics Classes to Accelerate Learning for ELLs

1. Using Writing and Vocabulary in Mathematics Classes to Accelerate Learning for ELLs Mary H. Russell Mathematics Consultant, NC Department of Public Instruction mrussell@dpi.state.nc.us

2. Welcome and Housekeeping Discussion/Interactive Format Quick Polling Co presenter addressing questions in the text chat area Those participating via teleconference can email questions to: mrussell@dpi.state.nc.us Switch to teleconference if audio is lost

3. Quick Poll

4. Today’s Goal Is To: • Explore importance of vocabulary and writing in the learning of mathematics • Provide vocabulary and writing strategies • Share and discuss students’ work samples • Allow for collaboration among teachers

5. Vocabulary and Writing, Why are They Important? • Mathematics language • Word knowledge, oral expression • Clarify thinking

6. “Student mastery of a word means they can decode, pronounce, spell, define it, write a meaningful sentence with it, and recognize it in a different contest.” (Calderon, 2007)

7. NCSCS: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including scatterplots) to solve problems What would a correct response contain? What vocabulary would prevent your students from being able to answer successfully? The scatterplot above shows the number of people at the swimming pool from 1:00 – 5:30. What conclusion can be made about the number of people at the pool during this time span? How can a manager use this information to staff the pool?

8. Compare the students’ responses that follow. Which response is the most acceptable? Why? What role does vocabulary play in the clarity of each response? Which words appear to be the issue?

9. Student 1 Teacher: Ok. Now looking at this graph, how many people were at the pool at 2:30? Student: About 14 people. Teacher: Ok. At what time were there about 9 people at the pool? Student: Uh, about 30, 35. Teacher: Ok. What does the data pair (5:30, 5) represent? Student: Uh. 5:30 is the hour and 5 is the number of people that were there. Teacher: Do you see anything else, you want to say about the graph? Student: That it’s a line graph. Teacher: Thank you, very much. Teacher: In reading this question, it says the scatterplot above shows the number of people in the swimming pool from 1:00 -5:30. What conclusion can be made about the number of people at the pool during this time span? Student 1: Uh. That it decreased as time passed. As it got later a lot of people started to leave. Teacher: Ok. How can a manager use this information to staff the pool? Student: I think that they shouldn’t need that many staff, much staff because there is not that many people there. So they could use to use fewer people, fewer staff.

10. Student 2 Student: He needs like to open early because there’s a lots of people go early. And, uh, he needs to know what time he needs to close to and when people need to leave. And that there is more people coming at 1:00. Teacher: How many people were at the pool at 2:30? Student: About 14. Teacher: At what time was there about nine people at the pool? Student: At 4. Teaaher: Ok. What does the data pair (5:30, 5) present? Student: Uh. The number of people at the pool. Teacher: Ok. Anything else? Student: No. Teacher: In reading this question, it says the scatterplot above shows the number of people in the swimming pool from 1:00 -5:30. What conculsion can be made about the number of people at the pool during this time span? Student: Uh. More people go at 1 o’clock and at 6:30 more people go. It lowers down at 3:00. It’s going down. Teacher: Anything else? Student: No. Teacher: How can the manager use this information to staff the pool?

11. Student 3 Teacher: I’m going to ask you a few questions about this graph. , it says the scatterplot above shows the number of people in the swimming pool from 1:00 -5:30. What conculsion can be made about the number of people at the pool during this time span? Student: Doing, the time span? Ummm. (wait) well it’s like at 1 to 5:30 people come to the pool. Then it was at well it’s at more people at the pool at 1:30. Then when it comes 5:30 people are leaving the pool or something. That’s what I think it might mean. Teacher: Ok. How can a manager use this information to staff the pool? Student: So he will know how many people are there. How many people to monitor. And how many people he has to watch over. Teacher: Ok. How many people were at the pool at 2:30? Student: Ummm. About 14. Teacher: At what time was there about 9 people at the pool? Student: Um. At, I would say about 4, or 4.5 Teacher: What does the data pair (5:30, 5) represent? Student: How many people were at the pool at 5:30. Teacher: Alright, thank you.

12. Quick Poll

13. Which student response demonstrates a lack of word mastery? Why?

14. Words to Understanding ELLs and At Risk Students Manager Conclusion Staff Time Span Math terms Scatterplot Data points Correlations Axis Meaning of data

15. Key Vocabulary Issues for ELLs • Same Words Different Meaning • Similar Meanings Different Precision • Complete understanding

16. Why is vocabulary so challenging in mathematics? • Signal Words (transitions and connectors) • Cognates • Symbols • Homophones • Polysemous

17. Teach words that are needed to: • Understand a text • Use in writing • Answer a test question • Enhance academic verbal repertoire

18. Signal Words

19. Cognates

20. False Cognates Calderon, 2007

21. Homophones

22. Polysemous

23. Symbols

24. Example of Cultural Differences Babylon.com

25. Method of Selecting Vocabulary Calderón, 2007)

26. Vocabulary Strategies • Graphic Organizers • Identify and Classify Vocabulary • Games • Vocabulary w/words and pictures • Role play • Guessing game • Grouping • Identify, highlight, and define • Teach Vocabulary Before, During and After • Use vocabulary indicators • Word wall

27. Definition (in own words) Facts/Characteristics Staff Nonexamples Examples

28. Definition (in own words) Facts/Characteristics Someone who works at the pool Must do what is asked Has specific assignment Is paid for assignment Staff Nonexamples Examples stick cane baton pole lifeguard cashier pool cleaner

29. Vocabulary Indicators Teacher says word and student repeats 3 times Provide word in context from the text Provides dictionary or technical definition Provide definition in student friendly terms Prove example(s) of word use, including multiple meanings when necessary Point out helpful structures: prefix, suffix, cognate, tense, compound word, spelling, polysemy, pronunciation Engage 100% of the students in the production of the word Calderón, 2007

30. Vocabulary References Calderón, M. (2007). Teaching reading to english language learners. CA: Corwin Press. Ellis, M.W. and Malloy, C. E. eds (2008). Mathematics for every student: responding to diversity, grades 6-8. VA: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc. Nash, R. (1997). NTC’s dictionary of spanish cognates: thematically organized. New York: McGraw.

31. Quick Poll

32. Why write? “Exposure to the written word and basic reading skills helps students develop a larger vocabulary.” (Calderon, 2007)

33. Advantages for Students • Helps student raise questions about new ideas • Allows chance for reflection on what is known • Allow students to construct mathematics for themselves • Helps student keep thoughts organized • Helps address issue of “math anxiety”

34. Writing Types to Use in Mathematics • Journals • Freewriting • Learning Logs • Note to Teacher • Mathographies • Formal Writing • Expository

35. As teachers of mathematics, we sometimes forget that the words and phrases that are familiar to us are foreign to our students. Students need to master this language if they are to read, understand, and discuss mathematical ideas. - Thompson & Rubenstein

36. Student 1 • What does the data pair (5:30, 5) represent? • Student response: That less people swim at later times of the day.

37. Student 2 1What conclusion can be made about the number of people at the pool from 1:00-5:30? 2How can a manager use this information to staff the pool? Student response: 1 I can conclude that more people swim in earlier times of the day, and that less people swim in later times of the day. 2 She could use this information so that she can know how many staff to hire for certain jobs.

38. Quick Poll

39. Purpose • Start Slow • Affective, Open-Ended • Word Limits • Math Concepts Helpful-tips(n.d.).Source jeanoram.com

40. Writing Prompts • I’m having problems with… • Number 3 was the most difficult problem because….. • When solving word problems I feel…

41. Sample Mathematics Concept Prompts • Explain how to subtract integers. • Explain how can proportional reasoning be used to find missing values in a problem.

42. Expository Writing and Word Problems • Revelation of Conceptions and misconceptions • Exploration of many multiple methods and solutions • Authors of own ideas • Experience creative side of mathematics

43. Expository Writing and Word Problems • Writing activities promote mathematical inquiry • Encourages focus on thinking • Students use own language • Words are tools for thinking

44. Graphic Organizers for Writing

47. References Calderon, M. (2007). Teaching reading to english language learners, grades 6-12: a framework for improving achievement in the content areas. CA: Corwin Press. Colorin colorado! Retreived on January 13 from http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/content/vocabulary. Nash, R. Ph.D (1997). NTC”s dictionary of spanish cognates: thematically organized. New York, McGraw. Prado, M. (1993). NTC’s dictionary of spanish false cognates. Chicago: NTC.