Lower Campus' Weekly Update
Sept. 25-29, 2017
Math Vocabulary Walls
1- Only post the vocabulary you are teaching within the current unit. Less is more. It becomes too overwhelming to so many vocabulary words at one time. Post the words as you introduce the words, defining the words as you go.
2- Review the vocabulary daily. Be sure not only are YOU using the correct vocabulary words, but the STUDENTS are also using the vocabulary words. For example, last week, I observed 2 classes using the commutative property. However, it was not called the commutative property. Instead the students and the teachers referred to it as the "Flip Flop Method." While this is cute, it is not the mathematical terminology. Use the correct vocabulary. The students can understand and use it. They are not too young.
3- Use the word wall in writing. Be sure your students are writing about math to explain their answers. Have them use the math word wall to use the correct vocabulary while writing to help reinforce their learning. Set expectations for the students about their writing. For example, "Use 3 words from our math word wall in your writing today."
4- Make word wall activities a regular part of the daily routine. Set aside 10 minutes a day to do word wall activities. These could be whole group to teach activities or they could become center activities. Below are a few examples. Be creative and make your own! The point is to use the vocabulary.
(A) Tic Tac Toe: Draw a large grid on chart paper & tape a vocabulary card in each square. Divide the class into teams. Teams take turns choosing a word and defining it. If the team defines the word correctly, remove the card and place an X or an O in the square. Leave teh card on the board if the team answers incorrectly. Continue to play until a team has 3 in a row.
(B) Word Wall Game: The objective of this game is for the students to find words on the word all using clues given by the teacher or another student. Clues may consist of a definition or description of a word. Once the clue is completed, students may raise their had to announce that they know where the word is found on the word wall or write the word on individual white boards. The teacher calls on a student to go to the wall, identify the word with a pointer and say it. A clue is given for another word.
(C) Cloze Activities: Write 2-3 sentences and leave blanks for students to fill in with appropriate math vocabulary from the wall. Alternatively, call out a word from the math wall and have students write a sentence that expresses a relationship or connection between the term and another math term, concept, situation or real- world application.
Math vocabulary word wall example
Staff Birthdays
Important Dates to Remember
September 25: Faculty Meeting
September 26: Review of Tier 2 intervention data with Dean during planning- bring each students' intervention plan, baseline data and progress monitoring data
September 27: Picture Day
October 2: Faculty Meeting
October 4: Grades Due; Report Cards Due for Deans to Review
October 6: Conference Day- No School for Students
October 9-13: Fall Break- No School
Westside Atlanta Charter School
Email: dana@wacs.us
Website: wacs.us
Location: 1903 Drew Drive, Atlanta, GA, United States
Phone: (404) 228-9678