21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Jane Brandsma
D.H. Newcomers School
Guilford County Schools
Using Action Research
To Empower North Carolina Educators
A Race to the Top Initiative
NC Department of Public Instruction
Educator Effectiveness Division
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
About me …
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Education
Experience
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
About my school …
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Greensboro, Guilford County
Grades 3-12
1st year refugees and immigrants, ELLs
New students arrive
weekly; may stay
2 semesters
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
About you …
Digital Participant Survey
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Problem of Practice:
To what extent does linguistic complexity
challenge English Language Learners
(ELLs) as they demonstrate their MATH 1
understanding on standardized
assessments?
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Activity: Small-group Sharing
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Experience with ELLs in MATH 1
Pedagogical Challenges
Effective Teaching Strategies
Collaboration
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Relevance of the study:
Standardized test scores are part of
• student course grades
• Governor’s School applications
• Magnet Program admissions
• other
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Potential Beneficiaries:
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MATH 1 Teachers of ELLs
ESOL Teachers of MATH 1 students
Reading Specialists
other
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Activity:
Prior Knowledge Assessment
Second Language Acquisition
SIOP strategies for ELL instruction
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
“The teaching of mathematics to ELLs can
no longer be perceived as separate from the
teaching of language. . . teachers must
provide sustained linguistic scaffolding for
ELLs while encouraging the development of
their mathematical meaning-making skills.”
C. Lager
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Mathematics teachers must “learn how to
seamlessly integrate relevant everyday
language, mathematical language, and
mathematics content within daily classroom
instruction to maximize learning
opportunities for all students.”
M. Martinello
21st Century Mathematics: Success for All
Examining MATH 1 Linguistic Complexity
Activity:
Response to the Literature
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
• Cultural backgrounds
• Educational experiences
• Language proficiency
Collect Data
70 MATH 1 students
D.H. Newcomers School
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Study Participants
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
How does English linguistic
complexity cause
comprehension difficulty and
mathematical challenges for
ELLs enrolled in MATH 1?
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Research Questions
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Does linguistic instruction
using MATH 1 problems
lead to increased ELL success
as measured on standardized
assessments?
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Research Questions
Intervention
Action Research Plan
•SIOP Components
•DISP Samples
•Photographs
•Video
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Implementation
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
•Language Objectives
•Building Background
•Comprehensible Input
•Interaction
•Practice and Application
Collect Data
Intervention
Action Research Plan
SIOP Strategies
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Daily
Interactive
Spiral
Practice
Collect Data
DISP:
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Activity:
Review of
Instructional Materials
Intervention
Action Research Plan
•Critical Thinking
•Communication
•Collaboration
•Creativity
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
21st Century Skills
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Incorporating
21st Century Skills
in
MATH 1 lessons
Collect Data
Activity
Share FIndings
•Interim Assessment Data
•Classroom Field Notes
•Interviews
•Student Surveys
•Standardized Assessment
scores
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Data
• Unfamiliar contexts
- financial applications
- space and time
• Limitations of
word-to-word
Bilingual Dictionaries
• Confusing syntax
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Challenges of MATH 1
Linguistic Complexity
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Recommendations
• Financial Literacy
• MATH 1/ESOL Teacher
Collaboration
• Targeted reading
strategies for
mathematics assessments
Share FIndings
Analyze & Interpret Data
Collect Data
Intervention
Action Research Plan
Recommendations
• Spiral Curriculum
• Opportunities for ELL
productive language
• Increased vocabulary
development
Share FIndings
Analyze/Interpret Data
Collect Data
Innovation/Intervention
Action Research Plan
Activity
Implementing Change
in Your Classroom
References
•Lager, Carl. 2006. “Types of MathematicsLanguage Reading Interactions that
Unnecessarily Hinder Algebra Learning and
Assessment.” Reading Psychology 27: 165-204.
•Martinello, Maria. 2008. “Language and the
Performance of English-Language Learners in
Math Word Problems.” Harvard Educational
Review 78(2):333-368.
Closing Remarks
Jane Brandsma
D.H. Newcomers School
Guilford County Schools
brandsj@gcsnc.com