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 – [email protected]
• Nyoka Green – [email protected]
• Tammy Jernigan – [email protected]
• Jamie Kendall – [email protected]
• Venita Lee – [email protected]
• Lynne Moore – [email protected]
• Ramil Orbita – [email protected]
• Tameka Powell – [email protected]
• Tawanda Smallwood – [email protected]
• Tammy Snow – [email protected]
• Ganell Tyson – [email protected]