Glossary of Terms: Math

Algebra:

Recognizing, creating, and extending patterns of objects and numbers, using symbols to represent number patterns and solving equations.

Cooperative Learning:

Students work in pairs or small groups to apply the concepts presented by the teacher.

Geometry:

The study of shapes, dimensions, relationships, and transformations.

Hands-On Activities:

Students use manipulatives, including calculators, to represent abstract mathematical ideas.

Independent Applications:

Students work independent of others to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical concepts presented by the teacher.

Mathematical Communication:

Explaining one’s thinking, developing a plan for collecting information, interpreting mathematical information from a variety of sources (pictures, diagrams, graphs, texts), and organizing and sharing mathematical information using models, tables, charts, graphs, symbols, and language.

Mathematical Connections:

Understanding relationships between ideas such as multiplication and addition, relationships between math and other disciplines such as science or music, and identifying how math is used in everyday life.

Measurement:

The study of attributes and dimensions, approximation and precision, and systems and tools.

Number Sense:

An understanding of numbers and our number system which includes computation, place value, estimation, and comparing whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.

Ongoing Assessment:

The teacher provides formal and informal opportunities to assess student understanding, including performance tasks, short answer items, and observation of group and independent work.

Probability:

Predicting possible outcomes and probabilities of simple experiments.

Problem Solving:

Investigating situations, formulating and defining questions, and constructing solutions.

Reasoning:

Comparing and interpreting information, justifying results, using models, facts, patterns and relationships, and checking for reasonableness of results.

Statistics:

Collecting, organizing, and displaying data in tables, charts, pictographs, and bar graphs.

Teacher-Directed Lessons:

The teacher presents math concepts through demonstration and/or constructivist activities followed by guided practice to check for understanding.