Explicitly teaching maths vocabulary gives learners the language they need to think and communicate like a mathematician. We call this approach disciplinary literacy.
Equipping your learners with this essential language empowers them to accurately read, interpret, and solve mathematical problems while enabling them to effectively communicate and share universal mathematical concepts.
A disciplinary literacy approach:
- Enhances learner comprehension and deepens subject knowledge in maths.
- Equips learners with the specialist vocabulary to understand and communicate like mathematicians.
- Fosters critical thinking and expertise, reinforcing meta-cognitive skills.
- Demonstrated to boost exam performance (Orman, 2021).
Why is disciplinary literacy so fundamental for maths?
Mathematics is one of the most language-rich subjects learners encounter, yet essential vocabulary isn’t learned by chance. Much of the terminology is either specific to maths or has a different meaning in a mathematical context than in everyday language.
Take the word "rational." A learner might understand its general meaning but not grasp its mathematical significance. Or consider "quartile"—a term unlikely to be picked up incidentally by a Year 7 learner in daily conversations. These words, and others like them, must be explicitly taught.
As exam papers become increasingly language-heavy, teaching vocabulary is no longer optional—it’s crucial for understanding concepts and achieving high marks at KS3 and KS4. Therefore, math teachers need the tools to be effective literacy educators, ensuring learners have the vocabulary required to succeed.
Free downloadable resource to kickstart your journey
To help you get started, we've created a comprehensive classroom resource. This includes:
- An introduction to disciplinary literacy
- Essential maths vocabulary
- Starter lesson activities for immediate implementation
- Information on how Bedrock Mapper can enhance your teaching strategies
Download the resource below to get started.
