Weekend Warriors: Ideas, Freebies & Giveaways Day 2

Happy Sunday! I'm back with more tips, tricks, and ideas to keep your teaching fresh and creative! I hope you got to read yesterday's post on using interactive notebooks for math workshop time! Today I'll be sharing a great tool for teaching new math vocabulary in your classroom!

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to become Project GLAD trained. What the heck is Project GLAD, you ask? Let me give you the simplified version...Project GLAD is an instructional model that incorporates research-based strategies in any subject matter. It helps you deliver academic language while using an integrated, balanced literacy approach. Although it was a originally created specifically for English Language Learners, it really benefits ALL students through the use of high-level thinking and academic language!

Back to how it ties in with math my instruction...do you ever find yourself teaching and reteaching academic math vocabulary with your kids but they seem to forget as soon as they learn it? Well, here's a simple yet fun GLAD inspired strategy called the CCD (short for cognitive content dictionary). It's a great tool to develop academic English and help build the vocabulary and linguistic structures that students need to be successful in context-rich discourse. And, it's FUN and ENGAGING! :)

What does this look like in the classroom and how do you use it during math? Here's what I do when I use the CDD during math instruction and some step-by-step instructions to help you!

First, write the vocabulary word on the CCD chart under the "word" section. Now is your chance to see how many of your students already have prior knowledge of that word (schema). You can then ask your students, "How many of you have heard this word before?" Here's a neat little trick...put an "H" below the word on the chart and write the number next to it. Then ask your students, "How many of you have never heard this word before?" Put a "NH" below the "H" and write the number next to it. Now you've just taken an informal survey to see how many might know this word, and how many might need extra support!

The next step in using the CDD requires you to group or team-up your students. The student groups work together to predict a definition for the word. Each group will offer a definition to be added to the chart. Here's another opportunity to see what they think the word might mean. You'd ask what clue they used for their prediction. If a group has the same prediction as another group of students, put a star or symbol next to the first prediction. If a team doesn't have a prediction yet, it's okay...give them more "think time" and move to the next team. But, make sure to return to them to assure student accountability. :)

After all predictions from each group have been taken, you model a gesture/hand movement and class response that will be done each time the vocabulary word is said. This word is used as a "signal word" throughout the day during transitions or routines. I use the signal word with my students when they transition from one activity to the next or line up for recess or lunch. It gives students that repetition and practice they need to remember that important academic word!

As a class, you collaboratively develop and record a final meaning and add a sketch to remember that word. The last step is to have groups share an oral sentence using the word or a variation of that math word. When student groups verbally share out their sentence, put a check mark in the last column under "Oral Sentence". 

This tool allows your students to make a predictions, find prefixes/suffixes/roots, meanings, picture/sketch and use academic vocabulary in an oral sentence. It also assesses and activates background knowledge, addresses student misconceptions and to models writing skills. I know...sounds like it couldn't possibly hit up all of that stuff, but it really does!

Step-by-Step CCD Recap:
1. Select a word from math vocabulary (this word becomes the signal word for the day)
2. Students predict meaning of selected word 

3. Write or sketch something that will help them remember the meaning of the word
4. Use the word in an oral sentence
5. This activity is done whole class, in groups, and individually

I hope this post on math vocabulary and the CCD was helpful for you! You can download the CDD template by clicking on the image above. How do you teach math vocabulary in your classroom? I'd love to hear about it!  

As a thank you, all Weekend Warriors are giving away $10 towards their TpT shop! YAY! Enter using the rafflecopter below!

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Be sure to hop on over to the blogs below and see great math tips from them as well!

A Burst of First	Sailing Into Second	Crayons and Whimsy	Hippo Hooray for Second Grade
Lucky To Be In First	Bright Concepts 4 Teachers	Second Grade Perks	A Sunny Day In First Grade
Primarily Speaking	Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd	The Tutu Teacher	Saddle Up For 2nd Grade
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