VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES
As a parent, there are several ways you can help to teach and practice math vocabulary with your child. The following activities can be used to encourage and support vocabulary development at home.
Activity 1: Drawing pictures to represent words
One option is to compare mathematical words that have a different meanings in everyday language.
An example of this would be to compare the word product, like in the picture to the left.
In math, the word product means the result of a multiplication problem. In common language, the word product can mean a good that is sold.
You can do an activity using these multiple meaning words by giving your child a vocabulary word, and then asking him to draw a meaning for the mathematical term. Then ask him to draw a different picture that represents the meaning of the everyday word. This is a good way to teach and reinforce new math vocabulary words.
An example of this would be to compare the word product, like in the picture to the left.
In math, the word product means the result of a multiplication problem. In common language, the word product can mean a good that is sold.
You can do an activity using these multiple meaning words by giving your child a vocabulary word, and then asking him to draw a meaning for the mathematical term. Then ask him to draw a different picture that represents the meaning of the everyday word. This is a good way to teach and reinforce new math vocabulary words.
Activity 2: Creating a song, rap, or story
Another way to reinforce vocabulary development at home is to encourage your child to create a song, skit, rap, poem, or cartoon that defines a mathematical term in a creative way.
Here's an example of a rap song a student made about the distributive property.
3 times the quantity
2 plus 5
is 3 times 2
plus 3 times 5.
It doesn’t matter
what numbers you use,
just follow the pattern
with whatever you choose.
Creating new pieces of work is a great way for your child to be creative and also reinforce learning at the same time.
Here's an example of a rap song a student made about the distributive property.
3 times the quantity
2 plus 5
is 3 times 2
plus 3 times 5.
It doesn’t matter
what numbers you use,
just follow the pattern
with whatever you choose.
Creating new pieces of work is a great way for your child to be creative and also reinforce learning at the same time.
Activity 3: Math Memory game
Another fun way to teach vocabulary at home is to create a simple word matching game. You can use index cards to create a fun and easy math vocabulary practice game similar to memory. Just write the word on one card, and then the definition on another card. Do this for about 10 or more vocabulary words. Then mix the cards up and turn them all upside down. On your turn, you flip over two cards, trying to find the word and its correct definition. When you get a match, you keep it and go again. Continue until all of the cards are gone.
Activity 4: Online tic tac toe
An online resource for vocabulary practice is a tic tac toe style game from eduplace.com. Simply click on the link below and open up the new page with the game. Then click unit four, which is about algebra and operations.
To play the game just click on the square that matches the definition given. When you get three boxes in a row, you win! http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/swfs/mathlingo_grade3.html
To play the game just click on the square that matches the definition given. When you get three boxes in a row, you win! http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/swfs/mathlingo_grade3.html
Activity 5: Online matching game
Another website to use for vocabulary development is learninggamesforkids.com. This game is a matching game. All you have to do is click on the definition that matches the word. It is easy and fun! Click on the link below to go directly to the game.
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/math_games/3rd-grade-math/math-terms/matchit-math-terms.html
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/math_games/3rd-grade-math/math-terms/matchit-math-terms.html
References:
spellingcity. (2013). Learning games for kids. Retrieved from http://www.learninggamesforkids.com /math_games/3rd-grade-math/math-terms/matchit-math-terms.html
Houghton Mifflin Math. (2012). E games math lingo. Retrieved from http://www.eduplace.com/kids/ mw/swfs/mathlingo_grade3.html
Smith, J. (Photographer). (2012). math memory. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.oneshetwoshe. com/2012/08/multiplication-memory-game-pocket.html
Zaiac, E. K. (Photographer). (2013). Product vocabulary comparison. [Print Photo].
Whitehair, C. (Photographer). (2012). Commutative fun. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://pinterest.com /mrswhitehair/student-teaching-3rd-grade-sped/
spellingcity. (2013). Learning games for kids. Retrieved from http://www.learninggamesforkids.com /math_games/3rd-grade-math/math-terms/matchit-math-terms.html
Houghton Mifflin Math. (2012). E games math lingo. Retrieved from http://www.eduplace.com/kids/ mw/swfs/mathlingo_grade3.html
Smith, J. (Photographer). (2012). math memory. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.oneshetwoshe. com/2012/08/multiplication-memory-game-pocket.html
Zaiac, E. K. (Photographer). (2013). Product vocabulary comparison. [Print Photo].
Whitehair, C. (Photographer). (2012). Commutative fun. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://pinterest.com /mrswhitehair/student-teaching-3rd-grade-sped/