Literacy Strategies for Improving Mathematics Instruction

by Joan M. Kenney, Euthecia Hancewicz

What makes mathematics so confusing to students? To succeed in the study of arithmetic, geometry, or algebra, students must learn what is effectively a second language of mathematical terms and symbols. In Literacy Strategies for Improving Mathematics Instruction , Joan M. Kenney and her coauthors describe common ways in which students misinterpret the language of mathematics, and show teachers what they can do to ensure that their students become fluent in that language. The authors synthesize the research on what it takes to decode mathematical text, explain how teachers can use guided discourse and graphic representations to help students develop mathematical literacy skills, offer guidance on using action research to enhance mathematics instruction, and discuss the importance of student-centered learning and concept-building skills in the classroom. Real-life vignettes of student struggles illuminate the profound effect of literacy problems on student achievement in mathematics. This book will help teachers better understand their students' difficulties with mathematics and take the steps necessary to alleviate them. Abundantly researched and filled with helpful strategies and resources, it is an invaluable resource for mathematics teachers at all levels.

Genres: Education, Mathematics, Professional Development

113 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Emily]

Solid ideas for teaching math and helping students think more critically about math. I would have appreciated some more examples geared specifically towards lower elementary school students, not just upper elementary and middle school.

[Daniel Morgan]

This is a fantastic book! It includes specific information on how language is used in mathematics, about a dozen field examples of using student conversations to identify misconceptions withing their frameworks, and plenty of teacher guidance for how to produce authentic student-student dialogue. This book is also worth it just for the huge collection of graphic organizers - I'll be stealing lots of those!

[Nadia]

Very short, helpful guide to thinking about how literacy is important in mathematics teaching. I really appreciate the authors idea that mathematics as a visual language

[Anna]

I'll admit that I only read the first three chapters (that was all I was required to read for my grad literacy class) but I thought this book was pretty decent in terms of providing literacy strategies for teaching mathematics. I think a lot of people do forget that mathematics is its own language and you have to teach kids how to understand and navigate that world in order for them to be successful. At the same time, though, I am somewhat frustrated with this new movement towards simplifying and breaking down everything in mathematics to the point where I feel like it's toodumbed-down. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect kids to just "get" and accept certain things. So, it's a good read for anyone who is teaching or thinking about teaching math, but I don't think it will totally rock and change your world either.