Giving a Voice to Second Language Math Problem Solvers

Math talks can be very scary for primary school students and second language speakers.  Creating games and cartoons build vocabulary and background knowledge enabling all students to contribute toward mathematical discussions. Small group collaborations and the building of screen-casts demonstrates the students’ ideas, allowing them to take an active role in their own education.  How-to’s guide students and teachers to create their own materials through both Google Documents and Microsoft PowerPoint.

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“It is magic until you understand it, and it is mathematics thereafter.” -Bharati Krishna.

What is your SUPERPOWER, as a Superhero Teacher?

The ability to bridge the gap between what seems to be “magic” to new mathematical understandings. A few of the skills my students have acquired include: word problem sense-making and the empowerment to screen-cast their mathematical discussions. They have become able to  clearly and precisely put together valid arguments as well as support mathematical thinking and critique the reasoning of others.  A feat that only 10% of English Language learners can do now.

Students are armed with superhuman skills to fight villainous confusion through:

  • Video and games assisting in the identification of the interrogative in a math word problem.
  • An interactive video demonstrates how a question becomes a statement that will guide their efforts.
  • An interactive video to support background knowledge.
  • A plan for students to work collaboratively towards creating a slide deck and video cast to solve a math word problem.
  • Guidelines that support group work.
  • Suggestions to promote students’ critical thinking.

Armed with these skills, students have become co-crusaders in their allegiance to slay grade level questions.

Data shows increased mediacy
improves student comprehension.

“Have a bias toward action – Let’s see something happen now.  You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” Indira Ghandi

Video: 90 Second Preview of the Capstone Project
Video includes:
  • Introducing a math plan to solve problems
  • Vocabulary games: Learning the “Wh-“ words.
  • Cartoon in google forms to learn how to make a question into a statement.
  • Students work in small groups to solve and explain a math word problem.
  • Students scripting and using Screencastify discuss a valid arguments to support mathematical thinking .