Viewing Articles From a Different Angle (“Acute” Blog)

Rheta N. Rubenstein
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, Vol. 13, No.4, November 2007

Is an acute angle really cute? Is pi something you really eat? Sometimes math vocabulary can be tricky…and even amusing! Where else can you find square roots?

This article deals with the complexities of learning vocabulary along with new math concepts. The author points out that math vocabulary can be confusing. Listed below are some of the reasons:
• Some words are shared with everyday English, such as reflection
• Some words are shared with other disciplines, such as prism
• Some words are used only in mathematics, such as denominator
• Some words have multiple meanings in mathematics, such as round
• Some words sound like others, such as intercept and intersect

Also, the author gives several strategies for supporting students in these situations. The article forces the reader to take a deeper look at the true meanings of words we use on a daily basis in math class. Rubenstein sums it all up by saying, “Language is a major medium of teaching and learning mathematics; we serve students well when we support them in learning mathematical language with meaning and fluency.”
Click here to view the full article.

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