Training guide

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Numerical vocabulary

It can be very hard for learners to use words that they only hear their teachers use.

Sometimes they would rather point and say “that shape” rather than say “triangle”, which is a ‘teacher word’, not one that they own.

Working in groups means that they are more likely to use numerical vocabulary themselves.

Activity 7.6: Developing a numerical vocabulary

There are excellent ideas for working in groups available to you on this TESSA Numeracy site, such as Case Study 2 and Activity 2, as well as the activities shown below.

The triangle number game. The text reads: The triangle number game is the most versatile mathematics game for primary children. The game is played much like dominoes, where numbers are matched to each other to make a pattern. Two sides of the triangles are put together according to a chosen rule. In the example below, the ‘rule’ is that the two numbers must add up to 9.

Here is another idea that can work well, as it relates numeracy to real life. Complete this activity in groups of three.

Discuss the following:

  • What dangers do your family and friends worry about?
  • Look at the cards in Resource 2 Table 1. Which of these causes of accidental death seem to pose the greatest risk? Discuss which is most risky.
  • Use vocabulary such as “accidents on the road are more likely than accidents at home”.
  • Now look at the numbers in Resource 2 Table 2. Do the numbers change your mind about where the biggest risk of accident is?

Discuss how you might develop a similar set of cards to help your learners to develop numerical vocabulary about day-to-day measures, such as mass (for example, two kilos of flour) or capacity (for example, five litres of water) or money.

Work together as a group to produce various sets of cards that you can use in your lessons.

By using the ideas in these TGM activities, you will help your learners to develop their numeracy in all subjects and to understand how important numeracy is.