Teaching vocabulary in mathematics: year 3 - 6
Naming Polygons
By KELLIE
Explore how to meet the vocabulary literacy demands of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics and how morphology and etymology have influenced mathematical vocabulary.
This 15-minute presentation reveals the patterns of how many common shapes are named and demonstrates ways to support students to use word knowledge and word origins to make sense of mathematical language – particularly when learning about polygons.
The examples given, and some supporting resources are suitable for any year level and any subject area.
Resources to support building vocabulary in maths
The word cards used as demonstrations during the presentation can be downloaded here.
Silent word sort cards. This activity requires students to sort words according to how familiar they are with them. This activity is useful for any subject and any year level. An easy pre-assessment!
These cards are an example of how adding simple definitions and word origins to word cards is a useful reference for students.
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We have put together a booklet listing the most common Latin & Greek words, with examples. There is plenty of room for your students to add more.
Suitable for both primary and secondary students.
References:
Australian Curriculum, “General Capabilties in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.” https://docs.acara.edu.au/resources/Mathematics_-_GC_learning_area.pdf
Australian Curriculum, “General Capabilties in the Australian Curriculum: Literacy.” https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/literacy/