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KnowledgeBases > The Adolescent Literacy KnowledgeBase > Element 4 > Activity 2 > Task 4: Integrate with Mathematics

Guideline:

Literacy plays an important part in learning mathematics; however, math applications may not be as obvious as other content areas due to the sparseness of connected text and the procedural nature of the content area. Though such applications may be lacking, middle and high school teachers should be aware of how vocabulary is critical to understanding and reading symbols. Similarly, charts, graphics, and comprehension are important to conceptual understanding. Possessing such awareness enables middle and high school teachers to enhance instructional strategies in mathematics.

Tools Adolescent Literacy Toolkit _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link to the Council of Chief State School Officers' Adolescent Literacy Toolkit provides resources for states and high school content area teachers.

Tools Comprehension Strategies _EXTERNAL_LINK

This page at AdLit.org contains a library of comprehension strategies teachers can use in the classroom before, during, and after reading a text. 

Tools Mathematical Fiction _EXTERNAL_LINK

As noted at the Mathematical Fiction website, this site provides "information about all significant references to mathematics in fiction."  This collection has been compiled by Alex Kasman, Department of Mathematics, College of Charleston.

Tools Mathematics Bookshelf _EXTERNAL_LINK

From the Ohio Resource Center, "The Mathematics Bookshelf features outstanding trade books that support mathematics instruction in K-12 classrooms. Mathematics Review Board members have selected books that will appeal to students and enrich the teaching and learning of mathematics."

Practical Tips Reading Strategies _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link to the Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science and Reading offers a compilation of reading strategies aimed at the adolescent student. Though focused on the Ohio Academic Content Standards, the basic strategies may be useful to all middle and high school teachers.

References Bringing Literacy Strategies into Content Instruction _EXTERNAL_LINK

As noted in its introduction, this Center on Instruction document "provides research-based guidance on academic literacy instruction in the content areas." The vignettes offered provide examples of how literacy instruction can be integrated into content area instruction. 

References From State Policy to Classroom Practice: Improving Literacy Instruction for All Students _EXTERNAL_LINK

This National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) document addresses moving state-level literacy instruction policy to classroom practice.

References Learning Mathematics Vocabulary: Potential Pitfalls and Instructional Strategies _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link is to an abstract of an article published in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM's) Mathematics Teacher publication. As noted in its abstract, "This article focuses on vocabulary as one aspect of language that is necessary for overall mathematics achievement. Potential vocabulary problems are identified, and instructional strategies to promote vocabulary development are provided." Access to the article is limited to  NCTM members. Non-subcribers may purchase the article from NCTM.

References Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link is to the Alliance for Excellent Education's report Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement. It discusses multiple aspects of adolescent literacy development from achieving basic reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills to more advanced literacy skills that will enable middle and high school students succeed in academic content areas.

References Math Vocabulary _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link is to a compilation of math vocabulary aligned to the Oregon content framework. Though specific to the schools in the state of Oregon, the content may be a useful example for schools in other states.

References Middle School Portal/Reading and Writing Mathematics _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link to the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) Wiki provides content related to reading and writing mathematics. The NSDL Wiki is a collaborative online environment where users can organize, create, and annotate resources.

References Reading in the Disciplines: The Challenges of Adolescent Literacy _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link is to the Carnegie Corporation of New York's report addressing adolescent literacy in the content areas. The report discusses the following content areas: science, mathematics, literature, and history.

References Teaching Math Terms & Vocabulary _EXTERNAL_LINK

This Universal Design of College Algebra website provides middle and high school teachers with information about what research offers regarding teaching vocabulary instruction in mathematics.

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Next: Task 5: Integrate with Science Previous: Task 3: Instill Through Writing


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