Having a strong grasp of math vocabulary is critical for your child’s success in this subject. Challenges in this area can be addressed with the following strategies:
- Develop concept webs for math vocabulary terms. Write the term in the center (e.g., circle) and draw lines connecting to key ideas associated with the term (e.g., diameter):
- Draw boxes around or highlight key terms on math assignments. Turn these terms into flashcards with their definition
- Practicing labeling homework problems by the type of question being asked (e.g., probability, division, etc.)
- Develop charts of common key words from word problems (e.g., addition words would include total, altogether, sum, etc.)
- Create stories based on simple math equations (e.g., the team needed twelve points to win, so they would need to make four three-pointers)
- Use a spiral notebook to create a math concept dictionary
Reference:
Feifer, S. (2017). The neuropsychology of mathematics: An introduction to the FAM. Middletown, MD: School Neuropsych Press, LLC.