Why is it important to show students the benefits of paying rigorous attention to details and using vocabulary correctly?
Here is a series of three consecutive problems that Anna addressed with a small group of students in her Year 9 classroom. Notice how Anna explores her students’ ideas to help them better understand the vocabulary they struggling to understand. Anna addresses their questions about gathering like terms, understanding when the negative sign means “negative” or “subtraction”, and explores what exponent notation means in a particular problem.
- Anna: Small Group Teaching Part 1 Notation, Gathering Like Terms
- Anna: Small Group Teaching Part 2 Notation, Negative or Subtraction?
- Anna: Small Group Teaching Part 3 Notation, Confusion about Exponents
What are some effective ways to show students how to use rigour and correct vocabulary?
Our suggestions:
- Algebra Programme Overview: We redesigned our Year 9 and 10 mathematics programmes to meet the needs of our students (contributor: Anna Cox)
- Bee in Her Bonnet: Shows the student challenge of learning about notation and the benefits of showing how algebra is everywhere by using rigour and correct use of vocabulary (contributor: Anna Cox)
- Fractions and Algebra: Develops prerequisite knowledge by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary and showing how algebra is everywhere (contributor: Rachel Jones)
- Grid Algebra: Develops algebraic notation by emphasising rigour and vocabulary (contributor: Chris Linsell)
- Introducing Vocabulary: Develops algebraic notation and a toolbox of skills by emphasising rigour and vocabulary (contributor: Rachel Jones)
- Linear Graphing: Develops an understanding of relationships by showing how algebra is everywhere and using rigour and correct use of vocabulary (contributor: Anna Cox)
- Quadratics: Develops algebraic notation and prerequisite knowledge by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary and building a toolbox of knowledge and skills (contributor: Anna Cox)
- Solving Equations: Develops an understanding of notation and unknowns by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary (contributor: Rachel Jones)
- Students Solving Equations: Shows the challenge of understanding algebraic notation and using prerequisite knowledge and the importance of using rigour and correct use of vocabulary building a toolbox of knowledge and skills (contributor: Anna Cox)
- Substitution: Develops prerequisite knowledge by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary and through context (contributor: Rachel Jones)
- Trigonometry Everywhere: Develops understanding of relationships by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary, building a toolbox of knowledge and skills, and showing how algebra is everywhere (contributor: Rachel Jones)
- Trigonometry Tool: Develops algebraic notation and prerequisite knowledge by emphasising rigour and correct use of vocabulary and building a toolbox of knowledge and skills (contributor: Anna Cox)