Academic Vocabulary Mathematics Carolann DeMoss Teacher on Special Assignment - Mathematics These grade level lists of mathematical vocabulary words are the result of the compilation of a number of math word lists. An effort was made to include words that have a high frequency, are relevant to California mathematics standards and CST, and are found in the District s adopted math textbook, Scott Foresman. There are 7 graded lists, Kindergarten through Sixth Grade Each list is arranged in alphabetical order A key for each grade level is provided to identify the vocabulary word s origin and frequency of occurrence The following published lists were used: Nieroroda B. and Browning C. (1989). EDL core vocabularies in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Steck-Vaughn: Orlando. Marzano R. and Pickering D. (2005). Building academic vocabulary: Teacher s manual. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria. California mathematics. (2001). Scott Foresman: Glenview. Other publications used: California Department of Education (2005). California CST released test questions. Retrieved at http://cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr on July 12, 2006. Mathematics framework for California public schools. (2006). California Department of Education: Sacramento. Use of the word lists: Vocabulary development, preview and review, English language development, word games, and a discussion regarding standard math language are a few of the potential uses for these word lists. Efforts towards the formulation of a school- or district-wide math vocabulary program could begin with these word lists.
abacus about about above above add addend addend addition addition addition addition problem after afternoon all all together altogether amount angle another way area area around bed time before behind below below between between by calendar calendar calendar cardinal number cent - Page 1
cent centimeter chance check the answer circle circle circle classify clock clock clock close coin collected column column compare compare complete cone congruent corner corners cost count count cube cube cube cup cup cylinder day day days decreasing pattern - Page 2
describe difference difference difference difference between different different digit digit dime dime dimes direction distance divide divide divides division dollar dollar dollar dollar bill double dozen each each edge eight end (time) end point equal equal groups equal parts equal to equally equation - Page 3
estimate estimate answer even even number evening expanded form face faces fact family factor feet fifteen figure figure first five foot foot foot form four four fourth fourths fraction fraction bar(s) fractional fractional part frame from gallon gram graph graph graph matches great - Page 4
greater amount greater than greater than greatest group group(s) group grouping guess and check half halves halves half dollar have left heavier height height height holds more hour hour hour hour hand how many how many how many more how much hundred hundred hundreds hundreds identify in front inch inch inch - Page 5
inches increase increasing pattern inside inside join kilogram large larger largest lasted (time) left left left length length length length less less than less than less than lighter line line of symmetry line segment lists liter location long long longer longer lunch time many many - Page 6
match measure measure measurement measuring cup member of a set mental math meter minuend minus minute minute minutes minute hand missing model money money money more more more likely more than more than morning most multiple multiplication multiplication sentence multiply multiply name name near near nearest hour - Page 7
next nickel nickel nickel nine not number number number number line number line number of addition number sentence number sentence number sentence numeral numeral numeric pattern object odd odd number one one whole one-half ones ones one-sixth open and closed sentence order order ordinal number orientation ounce outcome outside outside - Page 8
over pair pair up pair(s) pairs of shapes part pattern pattern patterns pattern extension pennies penny penny perimeter pint pint place plus plus point pound pound pound prediction problem problem solving product product put together pyramid quadrilateral quart quarter quarter quarters quotient - Page 9
ray rectangle rectangle rectangle rectangular prism regroup related facts remainder rename replace results right right right row row same same same same answer same number same value second second (time) segment sentence set set sets seven shaded shape shape(s) shape combination shape division shape pattern - Page 10
share shorter side side sign sign (operational) similarity simple six size smaller smallest solution solve sort sound pattern space sphere sphere square square square standard form standard measures of time standard measures of weight started (time) subset subtract subtraction subtraction subtraction subtraction problem sum sum sum survey - Page 11
table table table take away taller tally chart tally mark temperature temperature temperature estimation temperature measurement ten tens tens third thirds thirty-three thousand three time time (of day) time interval times times times (multiplication) today together tomorrow top triangle triangle triangle triangles true twenty two - Page 12
under unit value vertex volume week week week weight weight whole whole number whole number width worth yard yard year year yesterday zero zero - Page 13
Appendix An explanation of the word lists used in the creation of this document: California Standards Vocabulary and Released Test Item Vocabulary The author attempted to identify key grade level terms and phrases that were critical to student understanding of mathematics and the development of mathematical academic language. EDL Math Core Vocabulary Educational Developmental Laboratories (EDL s) purpose for the development and publication of the core vocabulary list is to improve the readability of instructional materials. Two doctoral dissertations are the basis of the two grade level mathematics core vocabulary lists, grade levels 1 3 and grade levels 4-6. These lists provide information as to the frequency and importance of mathematical terms. Each word or phrase is ranked according to its frequency and placed in a category. EDL lists 473 math words in seven categories for grades K 3 and 743 math words in nine categories for grades 4 6. EDL Core Vocabularies in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies is referenced by ETS, Educational Testing Network Service - the company that creates the CST and CAHSEE, and individuals under contract for writing test items. For the purposes of this LBUSD Mathematics Academic Vocabulary List, the following EDL math categories were used: Grades K 3: Words listed in Primary Categories I III; 169 math terms Grades 4 6: Words listed in Intermediate Categories I VI; 140 math terms Marzano Marzano and Pickering created the lists by taking words from national standards documents and organizing the words into grade level sections. The authors caution the user(s) to make determination as to which words are critically important, useful but not critical, and interesting but not very useful to the understanding of mathematics. Academic Vocabulary Word Lists: Level 1: grades K 2; 80 math terms on list Level 2: grades 3 5; 190 math terms on list Level 3: grades 6 8; 201 math terms on list Scott Foresman Vocabulary Grade level math words were obtained from each grade level s teacher editions. The words are listed as Building Vocabulary at the beginning of each chapter.