Vocabulary teaching isn't just for English departments — it's a whole-school responsibility where every teacher plays a crucial role.
Disciplinary literacy and Tier 3 vocabulary are the new buzzwords in secondary school maths departments. In a subject filled with coefficients, indices, and formulas, it can be hard to see why vocabulary is essential. Conversely, just reading the previous sentence highlights how complex the terminology can be. Without a strong grasp of mathematical language, teaching these concepts effectively is impossible.
By supporting students in acquiring this language, you're enabling them to read and interpret problems accurately. As students develop their mathematical vocabulary, they learn to communicate and share universal mathematical concepts. This leads to three things: learners enjoying maths more, learners making better progress and ultimately learners improving their KS3 and GCSE exam results.
The changing landscape of maths exams
Recent years have shown a trend toward more 'wordy' questions in maths exams. Students now need to understand complex language to have any chance of answering questions correctly. This is where a shift in your strategic approach is essential.
It’s not just us talking about this - the EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) recently released their 7 core recommendations for improving literacy in schools. An essential focus on disciplinary literacy is the first recommendation.
Your plan for success
As national leaders in literacy, Bedrock Learning is here to support you. We've developed a maths-specific vocabulary platform that actively teaches learners the language they need to fully comprehend mathematical concepts. Our platform also provides maths teachers with the resources to elevate their lessons.
Free 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.
