Miss Wolfe's Kinders Rock!

The Importance of Math Talk

Often when we think about mathematics, we think about getting the "right answer."  Our math instruction and assessment over the past few years has changed, and instruction is focused on a deeper understanding of all math concepts.  We know that a solid understanding of these concepts will help to accelerate our students in the math curriculum.  Not only do our students need to demonstrate this understanding, but they also need to be able to communicate their understanding both orally and in writing.  Assessments in kindergarten are primarily demonstration and oral answers, but in the fourth quarter they will be all paper pencil.  Our students will need to respond to some questions and show their thinking using pictures or words.  Math talk is an important part of preparing students to write and draw to communicate their thinking. 

Unit 3 Math Vocabulary

Indicators:

Unit 3 Kindergarten

Describe when events have happened or will happen.

Identify and describe measurable attributes including length and weight.
Use nonstandard units to measure length.

Use direct comparison and nonstandard units to estimate and measure objects.

Recognize and describe basic two- and three-dimensional figures, including circle, triangle, rectangle, pyramid, cube, and cylinder.

Identify basic two- and three-dimensional figures in the environment.

Unit 3 Kindergarten Acceleration

*Identify and describe measurable attributes including weight, capacity, length, time.

*Select an appropriate tool, including rulers, clocks (to the hour, one half, and quarter hour), calendars, and scales to measure a specific attribute.
*Use nonstandard units to estimate and measure weight and capacity.

*Solve problems using nonstandard measurement concepts and procedures.

*Estimate and measure length in inches.
*Compare the length, weight, and capacity of two or more objects by using direct comparison or nonstandard units.

*Identify and represent two-dimensional (plane) figures including circle, square, triangle, rectangle, and hexagon and describe their attributes.

*Draw triangles, rectangles, squares, and circles.
*Compare the size of two-dimensional figures.

*Identify shapes that appear congruent.