This PowerPoint was prepared by the Maths department of Gilroy Catholic College for professional learning purposes.

1. Literacy
Strategies
in Maths

2. Understanding the language of mathematics
is a critical part of mathematical sense
making.
2

3. What does “2” mean in each
example?
• 2
• To
• Too
• Two
• 24
• ½
• 102
9
1
• 2
3

4. Add
or (in
probability) total
+
and sum
plus

5. Vocabulary Development
Three categories of terms:
1. SAME: Words that have the same
meaning in “Maths” as in “Everyday
English”
dollars, cents
5

6. Vocabulary Development
Three categories of terms:
2. ONLY MATH: Words that have meaning
only in “Maths.”
numerator, isosceles
6

7. Vocabulary Development
Three categories of terms:
3. DIFFERENT: Words that have different
meanings in “Maths” and in “Everyday
English.”
table, right
7

9. Strategies for
Developing
Maths Vocabulary
• Concept Sorts
• Graphic Organizer
• Definition Cards
• Prefixes/ Suffixes
• Double Meaning
• Acronyms
• Completing an argument
• Cloze Passages
• Unjumble Sentences
• Celebrity Heads

10. Examples
Angle Complex Irrational Mode Plane
Base Degree Kite Net Power
Chord Difference Mean Obtuse Prime
Common Fair Median Pentagon Quarters
Right Regular Real Rational Range
Root Scale Sign Similar Slope

11. Examples
Definition: A Examples Non- Examples
Angle Complex Examples
Irrational Mode Plane
Non-Examples
polygon is a
closed plane
Base Degree Kite Net Power
figure bounded
by three or
Chord Difference Mean Obtuse Prime
more line
segments.
Common Fair Median Pentagon Quarters
Right Regular Real Rational Range
Root Scale Sign Similar Slope

14. Acronyms
• Examples:
• Trigonometry
• SOH CAH TOA
• Bearings
• Never, Eat, Soggy, Weetbix

15. Completing the Argument

16. • Donna wanted to buy a car stereo for $1500. Her
bank offered her loan at a flat interest rate of
12% p.a. to be repaid in fortnightly instalments
over 2 years. The bank charges were stamp duty
of $7.50, loan insurance of $8.50 and an
establishment fee of $12. If Donna included the
bank charges in the amount she borrowed, find:
• The total amount to repay
• The fortnightly repayment

17. FLOWCHART FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
Read
Re-read
Underline Key Terms
Decide what operation
and/or formula to use
Solve

18. Writing/ Comprehension in
Mathematics
• Students are given the numerical sentence
and then derive the meaning of the sentence
and then write the problem
EG: 3+ 5
2
• Students are given a problem to solve and
then write an explanation using sentences of
how they solved it

19. LITERACY IN MATHS
• Literacy in maths is meant to provide practice
in essential reading, comprehending and
writing, while facilitating an understanding of
Mathematics through an increased literacy in
its vocabulary.