The Language of Mathematics Professional Learning Day (Tuesday 23 August 2022)
Research shows that mathematics texts contain more concepts per sentence and paragraph than any other type of text. The Language of Mathematics professional learning sessions offered teachers the opportunity to explore literacy strategies strengthening the explicit teaching of language in mathematics. It also presented an opportunity to improve quality practices through across college collaboration between Mathematics and Learning Support/EALD teachers.
The learning intentions were centered on the Key Learning Areas (KLA) Goals:
- Focus on language used in the mathematics courses and language that have unique meanings in the context of mathematics. (Mathematics)
- Developing and sharing resources for the HSC minimum standards. (Learning Support/EALD)
Session 1 focused on:
- English language words and phrases that sometimes are unfamiliar or unknown to students
- Words and phrases particular to mathematics
- Words and phrases from the English language that have a particular meaning in Maths but have a different meaning in other contexts
- Reading and code-breaking strategies
- Symbolic representations and words
- Numeracy Nudges – questions supporting the inferences and interpretations of images, pictures/drawings, graphs, tables, diagrams, maps, and grids.
"I found the different strategies around visible thinking really useful- I like the progression of the questions to ask the student as they work through a question."
Session 2 focused on:
- HSC Minimum Standards – an overview
- Strategies for deconstructing questions to identify the literacy demands and math skills required to successfully respond to the question
- Reciprocal teaching and ALARM were strategies teachers practiced together.
"I found the Numeracy Nudges and strategies to navigate complex worded problems in the HSC Minimum Standards Test useful in today’s learning."
"Networking with other campuses and their perspective on literacy in maths was useful in today’s learning."
"Today's learning was a meaningful learning with inside out. It was clearly reflected that how important it is to work on language. I always tell my students, English is more important than mathematics. Language is a tool we use to learn anything on this planet. So, we need to focus on both Literacy and Numeracy."
Staff Reflections
What did you find useful in today's learning?
"Numeracy Nudges and understanding of how to analyse a question to find the literacy component."
"Numeracy Nudges and strategies to navigate complex worded problems in the HSC Minimum Standards Test."
"Networking with other campuses and their perspective on literacy in maths."
"I found the different strategies around visible thinking really useful- I like the progression of the questions to ask the student as they work through a question."
Please identify a strategy or idea that you will apply to your teaching after today's learning?
"I will be using ALARM questioning to guide students’ thought process."
"Before the start of any topic in mathematics, I will look for the keywords we will be using during the lesson delivery. Highlighting the keywords in front of my students will help me to develop their vocabulary in mathematics as well."
"Today's learning was a meaningful learning with inside out. It was clearly reflected that how important it is to work on language. I always tell my students; English is more important than mathematics. Language is a tool we use to learn anything on this planet. So, we need to focus on both Literacy and Numeracy."
Presenters: Peta La Motte (KLA Coordinator – Learning Support/EALD), George Boustani (KLA Coordinator – Mathematics), and Renata Grudic (College Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning)
Planning: Peta La Motte and Leanne Larcombe (College Principal)
