Literacy in Mathematics: Essential 21st Century Skills

Literacy in Mathematics: Essential 21st Century Skills

Editorial Vlog - Taking a stance on the importance of Literacy Skills in Mathematics and provide embedded videos with extra information and links.

"The laws of language are written in Mathematics" ~ Galileo

Randy Palisoc is a passionate educator, known for making math easy.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event; Published on Dec 5, 2014.
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*Rationale:

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency Communication in mathematics employs literacy skills in reading, vocabulary, speaking and listening, and writing. Mathematically proficient students communicate using precise terminology and multiple representations including graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams. By describing and contextualizing mathematics, students create arguments and support conclusions. They evaluate and critique the reasoning of others and analyze and reflect on their own thought processes. Mathematically proficient students have the capacity to engage fully with mathematics in context by posing questions, choosing appropriate problem-solving approaches, and justifying solutions.

1. Reading: 

Reading in mathematics is different from reading literature. Mathematics contains expository text along with precise definitions, theorems, examples, graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and exercises. Students are expected to recognize multiple representations of information, use mathematics in context, and draw conclusions from the information presented. In the early grades, non-readers and struggling readers benefit from the use of multiple representations and contexts to develop mathematical connections, processes, and procedures. As students’ literacy skills progress, their skills in mathematics develop so that by high school, students are using multiple reading strategies, analyzing context-based problems to develop understanding and comprehension, interpreting and using multiple representations, and fully engaging with mathematics textbooks and other mathematics-based materials. These skills support Mathematical Practices 1 and 2.

2. Vocabulary 

Understanding and using mathematical vocabulary correctly is essential to mathematical proficiency. Mathematically proficient students use precise mathematical vocabulary to express ideas. In all grades, separating mathematical vocabulary from everyday use of words is important for developing an understanding of mathematical concepts. For example, a “table” in everyday use means a piece of furniture, while in mathematics, a “table” is a way of organizing and presenting information. Mathematically proficient students are able to parse a mathematical term, definition, or theorem, provide examples and counterexamples, and use precise mathematical vocabulary in reading, speaking, and writing arguments and explanations. These skills support Mathematical Practice 6.

3. Speaking and Listening 

Mathematically proficient students can listen critically, discuss, and articulate their mathematical ideas clearly to others. As students’ mathematical abilities mature, they move from communicating through reiterating others’ ideas to paraphrasing, summarizing, and drawing their own conclusions. A Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency 1. Use multiple reading strategies. 2. Understand and use correct mathematical vocabulary. 3. Discuss and articulate mathematical ideas. 4. Write mathematical arguments. 14 mathematically proficient student uses appropriate mathematics vocabulary in verbal discussions, listens to mathematical arguments, and dissects an argument to recognize flaws or determine validity. These skills support Mathematical Practice 3.

4. Writing 

Mathematically proficient students write mathematical arguments to support and refute conclusions and cite evidence for these conclusions. Throughout all grades, students write reflectively to compare and contrast problem-solving approaches, evaluate mathematical processes, and analyze their thinking and decision-making processes to improve their mathematical strategies. These skills support Mathematical Practices 2, 3, and 4.

*Resources:

Early Grades:

1. Language, Literacy, and Math with Doug Clements - The Power of Asking Why (here)
Doug Clements is a Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, a professor, and the Executive Director of the Marsico Institute of Early Learning and Literacy at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education. He also helped coauthor the report of President Bush’s National Math Council and the new Curriculum Focal Points for early childhood produced by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

2.  Morning Sign-In: Building Math, Literacy, and Thinking Skills (video here)

3. Book - Math In Plain English: Literacy Strategies for the Mathematics Classroom by Amy Benjamin (2011)

Many words that students already know can have a different meaning in mathematics. To grasp that difference, students need to connect English literacy skills to math. Successful students speak, read, write, and listen to each other so they can understand, retain, and apply mathematics concepts.

This book explains how to use 10 classroom-ready literacy strategies in concert with your mathematics instruction. You’ll learn how to develop students who are able to explain to themselves - and communicate to others - what problems mean and how to attack them.

Embedding these strategies in your instruction will help your students gain the literacy skills required to reach a rigorous curriculum.

You’ll discover the best answer to their question, "When am I ever going to use this?"


ISBN-13: 978-1596671867

ISBN-10: 1596671866

The 10 Strategies:

1. Teaching mathematical words explicitly
2. Teaching academic words implicitly
3. Reinforcing reading comprehension skills that apply to mathematics
4. Teaching mathematics with metaphor and gesture
5. Unlocking the meaning of word problems
6. Teaching note-taking skills for mathematics
7. Using language-based formative assessment in mathematics
8. Connecting memorization to meaning in mathematics
9. Incorporating writing-to-learn activities in mathematics
10. Preparing students for algebraic thinking

Middle Grades

1.  (video here)

2. Book - Writing in Math Class: Resource For Grades 2-8by: Marilyn Burns (1995)

How can writing help students think more deeply and clearly about mathematical ideas? Marilyn Burns shares numerous examples illustrating how students sort, clarify, and define their thinking through different types of writing—journal writing, solving math problems, explaining mathematical ideas, and linking creative writing to math. Includes assessment strategies, answers to frequently asked questions, and samples of authentic student work.











ISBN-13: 978-0941355131

ISBN-10: 0941355136

3.  Book - 

Literacy Strategies for Improving Mathematics Instruction by: Joan M Kenney (2005)

What makes mathematics so confusing to students? To succeed in the study of arithmetic, geometry, or algebra, students must learn what is effectively a second language of mathematical terms and symbols. In Literacy Strategies for Improving Mathematics Instruction, Joan M. Kenney and her coauthors describe common ways in which K-12 students misinterpret the language of mathematics, and show teachers what they can do to ensure that their students become fluent in that language.

ISBN-13: 978-1416602309

ISBN-10: 1416602305

Secondary

1. Webinar – Calculating the Gift of Gab for Literacy in Secondary Mathematics (available here).  This webinar is part of the webinar series, Literacy for College and Career Readiness in the 21st Century, sponsored by Secondary Literacy Partnership. Members of the partnership are the California Department of Education, the Association of California School Administrators, the California Teachers Association, and the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd.

2. Literacy Skills in Math Classes (video here)

• Word Problems and Comprehension Skills
• Writing about Conception Understanding
• Graphic organizers
• Reciprocal teaching
• KWL charts
• Discussion Groups

3. Book - Developing Literate Mathematicians by NCTM.

Let’s face it: Mathematics learning requires tremendous literacy ability.

How can we integrate literacy instruction authentically into mathematics content to support mathematical understanding? Busy secondary mathematics teachers who seek to respond to the needs of their students and the demands of the Common Core State Standards will welcome this book.

It offers insight into effective literacy instruction, with concrete ideas for incorporating reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary learning in authentic ways into the weekly rhythm of your math courses.

Explore why literacy is important to all learners. Learn what it entails and how you can use workshop model instruction, with mini-lessons to model thinking and extended work time to allow learners to take responsibility for honing their mathematical and literacy skills.

Whether you are new to teaching or a veteran brushing up, this book can offer you a variety of practical ideas to implement right away. It will also give you classroom examples, research summaries, sample lesson plans, graphic organizers, rubrics, and questions to ponder.  ISBN# 978-0-87353-728-5

References: 

1. https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/sbe/attachments/4-15-16_V_A_Math_Standards_Attachment.pdf

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK8g-G47UEs

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6yixyiJcos

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXoVPwRRk-M

5. http://www.nctm.org/Store/Products/Developing-Literate-Mathematicians--A-Guide-for-Integrating-Language-and-Literacy-Instruction-into-Secondary-Mathematics/

6. https://www.wested.org/resources/literacy-in-secondary-math-classrooms/

7. http://earlymath.erikson.edu/language-and-literacy-with-doug-clements/