Monday, June 17, 2013

Building Mathematical Comprehension - Freebie!

Chapter 2 Recognizing and Understanding mathematical Vocabulary

 I'm late but I have a freebie for you guys! This book has got to be one of the best school related books that I have read so far. Laney Sammons lays it all out for you when she talks about the ways we should integrate vocabulary into our lessons. One point that she made was that as teachers we always want to start out with vocabulary when we're unwrapping a unit to our kids. Instead of starting with the vocabulary we should focus on the timing of the vocabulary. Basically don't unwrap it until you've covered it! For example if I were to introduce place value to my kids I wouldn't start spilling out all the vocabulary words associated with place value. Instead I would teach and when the vocabulary word comes up that's when I would focus on it with my students. This way your students have some experience to pull from to help them understand the vocabulary even better.

 She also talks about using graphic organizers such as the frayer model so that students can describe, explain and provide examples and non examples of the vocabulary in their own words. She provides tons of examples of student work, games and questions stems that can assist you with your vocabulary instruction. After reading this chapter I have a better understanding of how much time a student needs to work with vocabulary in order to retain it. It's not enough for the teacher to just verbally say or write the word and definition down on the board. Sammons suggest students write it, say it, use it at home, and see it on content boards in order for them to truly understand it.

 After reading this chapter I looked at my TEKS for the first unit next year and pulled out the important vocabulary terms and created this mini unit on place value. I will use this unit after my students have worked with these terms to help reinforce the meaning of the words. You can grab your copy here!
I also created these place value question stem cards that I plan to hang on my content board with the vocabulary words used in my mini unit.

My mini unit can be found in my TPT store.  If you download please follow me on TPT or become a follower of my blog.  I'm making my larger unit of vocabulary activities for all TEKS so be on the lookout!

9 comments:

  1. The vocabulary puzzle cards are a great idea for place value terms. Love the monsters!

    I'm a proud new follower :)
    Wendy
    Read With Me ABC

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the freebie. The puzzle pieces to review vocab was a clever idea. Any way to hook students and reinforce vocabulary is a plus for math instruction.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the freebie! I can't wait to use it with my kiddos!
    Hilary
    Second Grade is Out of This World!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the puzzles and cards! This book is great, isn't it? Another Texas blogger here and I'm a new follower!
    Carol
    Still Teaching After All These Years

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post and great freebie! Thanks for linking up!
    Beth
    Thinking of Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi...AGES ago you won on my blog July 26th 2011 as a matter a fact! I never sent you your prize and for that I do apologize...life has been challenging these last few years and well enough on excuses...I'd like to set things right and send you your prize. I don't know if I still have your snail mail address buried in my email; would you mind sending it to me again? I'm working my way back into blogging...so this is a step I need to take.
    Thanks,
    Nancy
    The Apple Basket Teacher
    nancydwilson@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOL! I just had to laugh because I just reread you comment after I posted you had won...
    "I'm so excited to win but sad to hear about your mother-in-law. I wish your mother-in-law and your family the best and I will be praying for you all. I've sent you an email. Please take your time because I am in no hurry and understand there are more important things going on."
    I'm glad you weren't in any hurry...of course I bet you weren't thinking TWO YEARS when you said 'take your time'!! Better late than never????
    Thanks,
    Nancy
    The Apple Basket Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing this wonderful resource adapted from the Building Mathematical Comprehension book..I have been seeing this book float around instagram and other teachers' websites...I feel like there are so many great teaching books I need to get in my hands before summer ends! Happy to be your newest follower! {found you through instagram!} Just loving all the connections through it!

    -Caitlin
    Table Talk with C & C

    ReplyDelete