Students create their own math dictionaries to learn math vocabulary.
Elementary students need math vocabulary knowledge in order to grasp math concepts and to solve word problems. Help elementary students gain understanding of math terminology while they create their own math dictionaries. Generate these dictionaries beginning with a group brainstorming activity and concluding with each student making an individual dictionary. The dictionary provides a constant reference for students throughout the school year.
Instructions
Preparation
1. Assemble each dictionary using one sheet of construction paper as the front cover, 13 sheets of white lined paper for the filler, and one sheet of construction paper as the back cover. Staple all the sheets together at the top left corner.
2. Label each sheet of white lined paper with a letter of the alphabet beginning with the letter A in the top right corner of the page. Be sure to use both sides of each sheet.
3. Create a sample dictionary entry for the word "add" or any other word that is appropriate for the grade level to syour class.
Generating Vocabulary
4. Display your sample dictionary entry to the class. Point out the parts of the entry, including pronunciation, part of speech, definition and how the word is used in a sentence. Explain that the class will be making math dictionaries based on this type of dictionary entry.
5. Gather students in front of the board. Brainstorm math vocabulary and write the words on the board.
6. Add your own vocabulary based on your school district's required math curriculum for your grade level. First and second grade vocabulary may include the following terms: ones, tens, hundreds, zero, equal, fact, add, cube, rectangle, triangle, pattern, less and plus. Third and fourth grade vocabulary may include these terms: rounding, regroup, multiples, variable, probability, pie chart, expression, equivalent, fraction, diameter and prime number.
7. Discuss the definition of each word. Write the definition on the board following the word. Be sure to also include the pronunciation and part of speech.
8. Generate a sentence using the word and write that on the board.
Making the Dictionaries
9. Send students back to their desks with the assembled dictionaries. Explain that each white lined page is labeled with a letter of the alphabet, and each word on the vocabulary list belongs on the letter page that matches the first letter of the word.
10. Instruct the students to label the front cover with the title "My Math Dictionary."
11. Direct students to choose a word from the vocabulary list on the board and copy it onto the appropriate page. Have the students fill in the definition, pronunciation, part of speech and a sentence using the word. Students may use the sentences generated during the brainstorming session, or they may create their own.
Tags: create their, dictionary entry, math dictionaries, math vocabulary, part speech, pronunciation part