Abstract
When learning new languages, it is relative in learning mathematics language. Vocabulary is everywhere; it implies that mathematics has its distinct vocabulary. The language of mathematics has its limits compared to other languages; however, most schools from different states have implemented the principles and standards for school mathematics. The proper integration of the standards of mathematical practices can guide the teachers in teaching the subject effectively. The effectiveness in teaching mathematics vocabulary is significant in the instructions provided by the educators to the students in any classroom settings. Every student has been given the opportunity, support, and the full encouragement to apply the mathematical vocabulary in writing, reading, and speaking in his or her mathematics classes. The study demonstrated that the methods have the positive effects to the students’ learning. Through these practices or instructions, the students can communicate better mathematically and they can learn more with others and help them succeed in their mathematics subject.
Keywords: vocabulary, language, communications, and instructions
Introduction
Most students in schools excel in mathematics, specifically in the computation. However, some of the students’ abilities to apply their specific skill tend to go through some difficulties. These difficulties possibly happen if they lack the ability to simply understand the mathematics vocabulary. The mathematical vocabulary helps the students to lighten their burden when they encounter instructions and mathematical problems in the class. The significant methods such as journal writing with peer discussion and the Frayer method strengthened the ability of the students to communicate better mathematically.
Vocabulary Instruction
The article entitled “The Language of Mathematics by Faye Bruun, Joan M. Diaz, and Valerie J. Dykes is very interesting and informative to all teachers, especially, to the new ones and aspiring educators. I strongly agree that the vocabulary instruction is vital in the mathematical understanding of the students. Through my personal observations, I noticed that the current trend in the mathematics instruction has integrated the mathematical vocabulary in the mathematics problems. The students need to work more on their vocabulary skills aside from the common expectation from them to merely compute any numerical problems during the mathematics class. I believe that it is necessary for the students to comprehend, for example, the appropriate operation to utilize and the specific vocabulary involved in the mathematics word problem. As stated in the article that, the effective teaching of mathematics vocabulary is important to the everyday instruction given by the teachers to their students in the class . The statement is definitely true and it is imperative to all educators to apply the mathematical vocabulary in the instructions in order for the students to improve their comprehension level and compete in the communication.
In the journal writing with peer discussion method, the authors demonstrated the clear concept about the method. The method is useful for the students because they have the chance to write their ideas. I agree that through writing, the students are allowed to think the correct meaning of the term and explain it, according to their direct understanding from the lesson discussed by the teacher during class. In addition, the journal of the students can be checked regularly. Alternatively, the students can share their own definition to their peers for clarity and confirmation by the teacher. With the help of the teacher, the students can think mathematically through writing. It only implies that the students can define and understand the mathematical terms through interaction than plainly reading the meaning from the book. The authors clearly presented the idea about how the educators create a good classroom environment of learning; it is the acceptance of the better strategy to develop the abilities of the students through writing and oral communication effectively.
Modified Frayer Method
On the other hand, the authors demonstrated the effectiveness of another method that strengthened the abilities of the students during the mathematics class. The Frayer method is a well-accepted graphic organizer used when teaching vocabulary . As presented in the article, I appreciate the style how the authors demonstrated the detailed idea about this method. The students can the word definition, word characteristics, and both the example and non-example of the word provided by the teacher during class discussion. Moreover, after reading the article, I found it informative because the method designed by Frayer can help the students understand the newly encountered words in mathematics. It is definitely linked to the standard of mathematical practices such as the model with mathematics and using appropriate tools strategically. Similarly, students are visual learners and through visual tools, their visual memory functions effectively and can help them recall everything during the mathematics test. I agree that most students can connect and understand with the vocabulary through reading strategy of visualization or pictures of the mathematical terms. It only shows that the teachers who used the verbal and visual techniques can help their students improve the knowledge in mathematics comprehension.
Action Research Study
Procedures
The way the authors presented the procedures and the methods of the study are clear and concise. They included all the necessary ideas and significant things based on the conducted mathematics vocabulary survey. One thing I appreciate the most is that the authors did not fail to integrate the mathematics curriculum and they present all the methods clearly that even young students can understand the procedures listed in the article. The numbered steps of methods utilized in the study are one of the clear presentations made by the authors. Additionally, the authors incorporate the online
Results and Observation
Effects
Even before I finished reading the article, I really expected that the methods presented would be very effective to the students. As per result, the study indicates that both the journal writing with peer interaction and modified Frayer method have the positive effect to the students . This result is agreeable because the pertinent facts demonstrated are reliable and observable anywhere in the classroom settings in schools. The observable response I am referring to are the frustrations of some of the students when they encounter some unfamiliar words. This is true based on my experience as a student in grade school before and my observation from the students in the class. I would say that the Frayer method is effective for me because during my grade years I can easily answer mathematics problems using the practice.
Recommendations and Conclusions
Works Cited
Faye Bruun, Joan M. Diaz and Valerie J. Dykes. "The Language of Mathematics." Teaching Children Mathematics 21.9 (2015): 530-536. Web. 14 July 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5951/teacchilmath.21.9.0530>.
