The authors of the text recommend teaching easier skills before more difficult ones. How does this recommendation apply to language instruction in mathematics?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Although precise terminology is critical to mathematics, it is not necessary to teach precise, mathematically correct definitions initially; rather it is important to provide students with the language that will permit them to take part in math instruction. For example, the following definition for the area of a rectangle, although correct, contains difficult vocabulary concepts and initially is not very useful to students: “To find the area of a rectangle, multiply the length times the width resulting in an answer of square units.” In contrast, applying the guideline of “easy before more difficult,” we recommend introducing the area of a rectangle as “the number of squares it takes to cover the rectangle.” Using student-friendly math vocabulary, appropriate to students’ age and skill level, results in clear communication and promotes understanding.