Students learning math are expected to do more than just solve problems; they must also be able to demonstrate their thinking and share their ideas, both orally and in writing. As many classroom teachers have discovered, these can be challenging tasks for students. The good news is, mathematical communication can be taught and mastered. In Teaching Students to Communicate Mathematically, Laney Sammons provides practical assistance for K–8 classroom teachers. Drawing on her vast knowledge and experience as a classroom teacher, she covers the basics of effective mathematical communication and offers specific strategies for teaching students how to speak and write about math. Sammons also presents useful suggestions for helping students incorporate correct vocabulary and appropriate representations when presenting their mathematical ideas. This must-have resource will help you help your students improve their understanding of and their skill and confidence in mathematical communication.

This book covers the basics of effective mathematical communication and offers specific strategies for teaching students how to speak and write about math.

This book considers some of the outstanding questions regarding language and communication in the teaching and learning of mathematics – an established theme in mathematics education research, which is growing in prominence. Recent research has demonstrated the wide range of theoretical and methodological resources that can contribute to this area of study, including those drawing on cross-disciplinary perspectives influenced by, among others, sociology, psychology, linguistics, and semiotics. Examining language in its broadest sense to include all modes of communication, including visual and gestural as well as spoken and written modes, it features work presented and discussed in the Language and Communication topic study group (TSG 31) at the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-13). A joint session with participants of the Mathematics Education in a Multilingual and Multicultural Environment topic study group (TSG 32) enhanced discussions, which are incorporated in elaborations included in this book. Discussing cross-cutting topics it appeals to readers from a wide range of disciplines, such as mathematics education and research methods in education, multilingualism, applied linguistics and beyond.

Language is deeply involved in learning mathematics as students both communicate and think about mathematical ideas. Because of this, teachers of English learners have particular challenges to overcome. Mathematical Thinking and Communication addresses perhaps the most significant challenge: providing access to mathematics for these students. For all students-and English learners in particular-access means finding effective, authentic ways to make language clear and thinking visible so they can reason more, speak more, and write more in mathematics. Based on extensive research and collaboration with teachers, coaches, and schools, Mark Driscoll, Johannah Nikula, and Jill Neumayer DePiper outline four principles for designing instruction that creates this kind of access: challenging tasks, multimodal representations, development of mathematical communication, and repeated structured practice. Starting from the perspective that English learners are capable of mathematical thinking (even as they are learning to express their ideas verbally), the authors highlight techniques for using gestures, drawings, models, manipulatives, and technology as tools for reasoning and communication. By embedding these visual representations into instruction-and encouraging their regular use-teachers support engagement in problem solving, facilitate mathematical dialogue, and notice evidence of students' thinking that propels them to create more engaging and equitable instruction. Enhanced by an extensive online collection of companion professional development resources, this book highlights classroom-ready strategies and routines for fostering mathematics success in all students and helping them recognize their potential.

This book contains ideas for teachers facing the challenges of turning their classrooms and schools into "discourse communities." The yearbook is divided into four sections. Part 1 (chapters 1-3) sets the stage by considering the challenges inherent in shifting directions of discourse. Part 2 (chapters 4-21) focuses on establishing discourse communities within the classroom. Part 3 (chapters 22-25) moves the discourse discussion outside the K-12 arena. Finally, Part 4 (chapters 26-28) focuses on the role of language in mathematics discourse. Chapters include: (1) "Communication--An Imperative for Change: A Conversation with Mary Lindquist" (M. M. Lindquist & P. C. Elliott); (2) "Diverse Communications" (D. Pimm); (3) "Building Discourse Communities in Mathematics Classrooms: A Worthwhile but Challenging Journey" (E. A. Silver & M. S. Smith); (4) "Meaningful Communication among Children: Data Collection" (S. Folkson); (5) "The Link Sheet: A Communication Aid for Clarifying and Developing Mathematical Ideas and Processes" (M. Shield & K. Swinson); (6) "Using Multiple Representations to Communicate: An Algebra Challenge" (L. P. McCoy, T. H. Baker, & L. S. Little); (7) "Algebraic Thinking, Language, and Word Problems" (W. W. Esty & Anne R. Teppo); (8) "Communicating the Mathematics in Children's Trade Books Using Mathematical Annotations" (P. A. Halpern); (9) "Fostering Metaphorical Thinking through Children's Literature" (D. J. Whitin & P. E. Whitin); (10) "Using Reading to Construct Mathematical Meaning" (M. Siegel, R. Borasi, J. M. Fonzi, L. G. Sanridge, & C. Smith); (11) "Communicating Mathematics through Literature" (R. Narode); (12) "Talk Your Way into Writing" (D. Huinker & C. Laughlin); (13) "Try a Little of the Write Stuff" (P. A. House); (14) "Developing and Assessing Mathematical Understanding in Calculus through Writing" (J. O. Masingila & E. Prus-Wisniowska); (15) "Is Anybody Listening?" (S. E. B. Pirie); (16) "Developing Problem-Solving Behaviors by Assessing Communication in Cooperative Learning Groups" (A. F. Artzt); (17) "Using Technology to Enhance Communication in Mathematics" (A. E. Barron & M. C. Hynes); (18) "The Role of Open-Ended Tasks and Holistic Scoring Rubrics: Assessing Students' Mathematical Reasoning and Communication" (J. Cai, S. Lane, & M. S. Jakabcsin); (19) "Mathematical Communication in Students' Responses to a Performance-Assessment Task" (D. Peressini & J. Bassett); (20) "Communication Processes in Mathematical Explorations and Investigations" (C. Greenes & L. Schulman); (21) "Embedding Communication throughout the Curriculum" (H. L. Schoen, D. L. Bean, & S. W. Ziebarth); (22) "Children, Teach Your Parents Well: Communication in Mathematics between Home and School" (A. Hart, M. Smyth, K. Vetter, & E. Hart); (23) "Communicating about Alternative Assessment Beyond the Mathematics Classroom" (P. A. Kenney, C. G. Schloemer, & R. W. Cain); (24) "Mathematics Pen-Pal Letter Writing" (E. Phillips); (25) "Developing Preservice Teachers' Strategies for Communicating in and about Mathematics" (F. R. Curcio, S. L. Schwartz, & C. A. Brown); (26) "Strategies to Support the Learning of the Language of Mathematics" (R. N. Rubenstein); (27) "Communication in Mathematics for Students with Limited English Proficiency" (R. A. Olivares); and (28) "Mathematics as a Language" (Z. Usiskin). (MKR)

Talking about numbers - Connecting numbers, stories and facts - Numbers and operations - Collecting, representing and interpreting data - Investigating geometry with pictures and words - Sights and sounds of measurement - Seeing patterns and sharing algebraic ideas - Seeing and hearingng_____________

Results from national and international assessments indicate that school children in the United States are not learning mathematics well enough. Many students cannot correctly apply computational algorithms to solve problems. Their understanding and use of decimals and fractions are especially weak. Indeed, helping all children succeed in mathematics is an imperative national goal. However, for our youth to succeed, we need to change how we’re teaching this discipline. Helping Children Learn Mathematics provides comprehensive and reliable information that will guide efforts to improve school mathematics from pre--kindergarten through eighth grade. The authors explain the five strands of mathematical proficiency and discuss the major changes that need to be made in mathematics instruction, instructional materials, assessments, teacher education, and the broader educational system and answers some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to mathematics instruction. The book concludes by providing recommended actions for parents and caregivers, teachers, administrators, and policy makers, stressing the importance that everyone work together to ensure a mathematically literate society.