This study provides the first large-scale quantitative exploration of mathematical language use in upper elementary U.S. classrooms. Our approach employs natural language processing techniques to describe variation in teachers' and students' use of mathematical language in 1,657 fourth and fifth grade lessons in 317 classrooms in four districts…

This study investigates linguistically diverse elementary mathematics classrooms, focusing on potential for dialogic discourse (constructing meaning through dialogue) and alignment with Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs). Constant comparative methods and discourse analysis of field notes, video recordings, and transcriptions…

This paper presents a preliminary study of three six year-old children's use of functional language when engaging collaboratively on a mathematics task. The analysis is presented as an illustration of young children's authority and agency in mathematics as evidenced in their discourse. Modality, as a function of language, was seen to indicate…

This paper examines the change in young children's understanding of "equal", "more", "less", and "between", words commonly used in equivalent and non-equivalent situations, over a 3-year period. Seventy-six children participated in the longitudinal study. Each year they were asked to share their understanding of these four words. Past research has…

Five structural, four linguistic and twelve topic variables are used in regression analyses on results of a 50-item achievement test. The test items are related to 12 topics from the third-grade mathematics curriculum. The items reflect one of two cases of the structural variable, cognitive level; the two levels are characterized, inductive…

The new, and prevalent, raised-dash notation (for subtraction) appearing in school mathematics texts is examined, especially for its effects on students' computational skills. Reasons for a return to the standard notation of the centered dash are presented. (Author/MN)

This paper describes a project concerned with the understanding of natural language by computers. The project involves the development of both a theoretical model of natural language processing by computer and an actual implementation of the theory. The specific implementation chosen is a question-answering system for elementary mathematics which…

The author presents an organizational model which exhibits relationships among preservcie teachers' skills in the use of interpretation of logical connectives in mathematical contexts. The model also provides direction to teahcers of courses on mathematics and mathematics methods who seek to acquaint their students with those notions of logic…

Mathematics is a language -- a way of describing, recording in mathematical sentences, and interpreting the symbols used to denote relationships. It is also an activity involving a way of thinking and a means of using relationships to solve problems. Opportunities must be provided for these activities in mathematics teaching. (Author/JN)

Suggested are sight word activities which will help students recognize both language and mathematical symbols in reading materials. Activities described include context clues, structural analysis, phonic cues, and dictionary skills. (DS)

The focus is on forming numbers to meet specific requirements. Careful reading of information and understanding of mathematical language are important to finding appropriate solutions. Worksheets are designed for levels one-two, three-four, five-six, and seven-eight. (MNS)

Identified are variables affecting performance of algebraic word problems for eighth graders. An appropriate readability level would seem necessary but not sufficient for student success. The structural variables used appeared to be good predictors of both the correct strategies and solving time. (Author/YP)

A longitudinal study investigated whether or not discussion in the mathematical classroom was an aid to understanding. This preliminary analysis showed that evidence to support the hypothesis has been limited. A method of classification of mathematical talk is described. (Author/YP)

Discusses the use of calculators to calculate multiple operations. Describes calculating procedures and provides four different types of examples. (YP)

Investigated were Australian and Papua New Guinean elementary school children's strategies and errors on arithmetic word problems. Reports that (1) the two samples showed similar strategies and similar errors and (2) the main variable determining difficulty was the semantic structure of the questions. (YP)