Literacy in the Math Classroom

Literacy in the Math Classroom

Hungry Bookworm

• The four volumes of The World of Mathematics by James R. Newman are sitting side by side on a bookshelf, in order, with volume 1 on the left. A bookworm tunnels through the front cover of volume 1 all the way through the back cover of volume 4. Each book has a front cover and a back cover that each measure 1/16 inch. The body (pages) of each book measures 1 and 1/8 inches. How far does the bookworm tunnel?

RAFT Activity

RAFT Activity

• R stands for “Role” – What is the writer’s role?• A stands for “Audience” – Who is the writer’s

audience?• F stands for “Format” – How should the writer

present the information?• T stands for “Topic” – What is the author writing

about?

RAFT Activity

RAFT Activity

• RAFT Topic Generator– http://www.writingfix.com/WAC/Writing_Across_Curricul

um_RAFTS_Math.htm

Content Books

Math Literature

Pythagoras Eagle & the Music of the Spheres by Anne Carse Nolting

A Fly on the Ceiling: A Math Reader by Dr. Julie Class

Pythagoras and the Ratios by Julie Ellis

The History of Counting by Denise Schmandt-Besserat

Tiger Math: Learning to Graph from a Baby Tiger by Ann Whitehead Nagda & Cindy Bickel

*More titles can be found on CD

Math Literacy Project

Objective: Students creatively and innovatively create a Mathematical Literary Work of Art explaining a mathematical concept.

BookComic StripE-book (PPT)

* Copy of lesson plan found on CD

Rubrics

Self-evaluationTeacher-evaluationPeer-evaluation

* Copy of rubrics found on CD

Cinquain Poem

Cinquain Poems

• Pronounced sing-cane• A five line poem that describes a noun

(person, place, or thing).

Cinquain Poems

• Line 1- a one-word title• Line 2- two words that

describe your title• Line 3- three words that

describe an action about your title

• Line 4- a four word phrase related to your title

• Line 5- one word that refers back to your title

DilationsEnlargement, reductionMaking things transform

Drops in my eyeSimilar

Vocabulary Activities

• Vocabulary Review Book

• Vocabulary Activity Book

• Recipe Cards

• Vocabulary Bingo

• Journal Writing – Frayer Model

Vocabulary Review Book

• Title page• Table of contents• One vocabulary word per page• Page must include word, definition, picture and

examples

Vocabulary Activity Book

• Title of the book• Page with ten vocabulary words defined• Crossword Puzzle• Word Search• Vocabulary Matching Activity• True-False Activity• Fill-in-the-Blank Activity• Comic Strip or Cartoon• Story

Recipe Cards

• Index Cards with vocabulary words• Each card may include word, definition, examples

Journal Writing

• Prompts that incorporate the use of vocabulary• For example: Choose 4 vocabulary words and

create a Frayer Model for each word.

Word Definition

Picture/Symbol Sentence

Math Curse Project

How to Use the Math Curse Project

• Use as alternate assessment of one or more topics.• Use as review for chapter/unit test.• Use as review for six-week, nine-week, or semester

exam.• Use as enrichment.

How to Set up the Project

• Read the book, The Math Curse, to your class.

• Decide how to differentiate the project.

Project Differentiation Suggestions

• Single book page• Multiple book pages• Brochure• Letter• Poster• Powerpoint• Photostory• Podcast• Glogster

The Greedy Triangle

Greedy Triangle Activity Resources

• MATH LITERACY RESOURCES– http://familyliteracyexpertise.org/Resources/mathliteracy/G

reedyTriangle.pdf

• POWERPOINT with ACTIVITIES– http://www.reading.ccsu.edu/Kurkjian/Internet%20Project/

Student%20work/Julie%20Campbell/The%20Greedy%20Triangle%20Cyber%20Lesson(hv).ppt

• BOOK BEING READ ON SCHOOLTUBE– http://www.schooltube.com/video/8d5524f67be2b5611701

/The-Greedy-Triangle

Greedy Triangle Activity Resources

• GREEDY TRIANGLE LESSON PLANS (Grade K-12)– http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?keywords=greedy+tri

angle&media=lesson

• GREAT QUESTIONS & PROJECT IDEAS– http://www.math.okstate.edu/geoset/Literature/

litactivity.htm

THE GREEDY TRIANGLEENERGIZERS

DIRECTIONS:

When you hear the reader say, “poof” you should do the indicated exercise.1.From a to a 4 arm lifts.

2.From a to a 5 knee lifts.

3.From a to a breathe in- breathe out 6 times.

Mathematics Literacy

Mathematics Literacy

• We should all understand that mathematics is a language in itself. The more proficiently we can communicate, through writing or speaking, the stronger our comprehension becomes. Students must be allowed to discover this connection.

• Literacy activities/strategies for our classrooms do not have to be limited to the direct content we teach, but they can be.

• Many of our students would benefit from extra research opportunities/experiences.

Two Research Project Ideas

• Research various cultures and/or individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of mathematics.

• Research why math is important to students’ lives by finding what mathematical concepts are important to their projected field of interest for future employment.

Project Purpose & Benefit

• Both projects will, of course, assess each student’s written communication skills.

• Both may be given as an oral presentation.• Both bring a sense of relevance to each student with

respect to why math is a crucial aspect of our daily lives.

• Both allow for differentiation in instruction.• Both provide opportunities for authentic assessment.

Quick Note & FYI

• These project ideas may also be beneficial for artifacts in the NC Educator Evaluation System.

• Rubrics may be a nice finishing touch for assessment standards to be shared and/or communicated with the students but are not required.

Presenters’ Contact Information

• Sarah Davis – sdavis@hertford.k12.nc.us

• Nyoka Green – nyokajunior@yahoo.com

• Tammy Jernigan – tjernigan@bertie.k12.nc.us

• Jamie Kendall – jkendall75@gmail.com

• Venita Lee – vlee@bertie.k12.nc.us

• Lynne Moore – moorel@northampton.k12.nc.us

• Ramil Orbita – rorbita@bertie.k12.nc.us

• Tameka Powell – powellt@northampton.k12.nc.us

• Tawanda Smallwood – tsmallwood@bertie.k12.nc.us

• Tammy Snow – tsnow@bertie.k12.nc.us

• Ganell Tyson – gtyson@bertie.k12.nc.us