ALGEBRAIC VOCABULARY An Underestimated Factor in Learning Algebra

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ALGEBRAIC VOCABULARYAn Underestimated Factor in
Learning Algebra

• Presented by
• Dr. Terrence R. Sundeen
• and
• Dr. Nancy J. McCormick
• NADE 2003
• Austin, Texas

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READABILITY

• The readability of a textbook involves the
  determination of an approximate grade level at
  which materials are written.

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READABILITY FORMULAS

• Fry Readability Graph
• - Based on length of sentences and number of
  syllables in a selection
• http//school.discovery.com/schrockguide/fr
  y/fry.html
• McLaughlins SMOG Readability Formula
• - Based on the number of polysyllabic words
• http//web.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/edu/HealthEd/Guide
  /Read.htm
• Gunnings FOG Index
• - Based on sentence length and words with
  three or more syllables
• http//www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/do
  cuments/information /writing_tips.cfm
• Raygors Readability Estimate
• - Based on sentence length and long words
  (those with six or more letters)
  http//engfac.byu.edu/Novelinks/reading
  strategies/Anthem/raygor general.htm

writing_tips.cfm
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READABILITY

• All of these readability formulas consider only
  two
• elements in determining the level of a material
  
• vocabulary and sentence length. There are many
• other elements to consider some of which are
• prior student experiences, teachers introduction
• of information, format of materials, student
• involvement in learning, awareness of purpose for
• reading, organization of information, and
  interest
• in content.

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EXAMPLES OF WELL AND POORLY DEFINED VOCABULARY
TERMS

• Constants numbers that do not contain
  variables.
• Discriminant If the discriminant is positive or
  zero, the quadratic equation will have real
  number solutions.

• Constant a number whose value does not vary.
• Discriminant When b²-4ac simplifies to 0, .
• Thus there is only one rational solution,
• -b/2a. Whenever the discriminant is positive,
  there will be two real number solutions.

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A SUGGESTED CORE PRE-ALGEBRA VOCABULARY LIST

• NUMBERS
• Number Systems Natural (or Counting)
  Numbers
• Whole
  Numbers
• Integers
• Rational
  Numbers
• Irrational
  Numbers
• Real Numbers
• Properties Commutative (Addition and
  Multiplication)
• Associative (Addition
  and Multiplication)
• Distributive
• Sets Subset
• Empty Set
• Union
• Intersection
• Opposite (Additive Inverse or Negative of)
• Prime Number
• Composite Number

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A SUGGESTED CORE PRE-ALGEBRA VOCABULARY LIST

• VARIABLES
• Variable (English and Greek Letters)
• TERMS
• Term
• Degree
• Like and Unlike terms
• Exponential Exponent (or power)
• Base
• Radicals Index
• Radical sign
• Radicand
• Root
• Rational
• ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS
• Rational Expression
• Polynomial (monomial, binomial, and
  trinomial)

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A SUGGESTED CORE PRE-ALGEBRA VOCABULARY LIST

• EQUATIONS
• Equation Linear
• Quadratic
• Open Sentence
• Function Domain
• Range
• Inverse
• Absolute Value Equations
• INEQUALITIES
• Inequality Symbols (, )
• Absolute Value Inequalities
• SOLUTIONS
• Solution Set
• Graph Number Line
• PROBLEM SOLVING METHODS
• Factoring
• Graphing Rectangular (or Cartesian)
  Coordinate System

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A SUGGESTED CORE PRE-ALGEBRA VOCABULARY LIST

• X- and Y-Axes
• Quadrants
• Ordered Pair
• Origin
• Line
• Slope
• Y-intercept
• X-intercept

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TECHNIQUES FOR PRESENTATION

• Techniques to accommodate different learning
  styles
• Visual
• Auditory
• Tactile

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VOCABULARY GAMES

• www.quia.com
• 30-day free trial period to create your
  activities which can include
• Flashcards
• Concentration Game
• Matching
• Word Search
• Create a list of words and their definitions.
  Quia automatically makes the activities and gives
  URL for students to access.
• Example www.quia.com/jg/326260.html
• 1-yr subscription is 49.

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Vocabulary For Activities
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JEOPARDY TEMPLATES

• Search engine (www.google.com) to find jeopardy
  in the classroom
• www.teachnet.com PowerPoint template to make
  your own game of jeopardy
• www.netxv.net/esc/technology/InstructionalTechnolo
  gy/templates/powerpoint.htm
• Example of a jeopardy.ppt file
• Many Others

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ORAL QUIZZES

• Like the spelling tests in elementary school,
  students are read the definitions and they write
  the correct vocabulary word that corresponds with
  each definition.

• For students to access outside of the classroom,
  you can make PowerPoint slides, to put on your
  Web site, that incorporate the sound of spoken
  definitions.

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AUDIO FLASHCARD 1

• Definition

• Vocabulary Word

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AUDIO FLASHCARD 2

• Definition

• Vocabulary Word

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VOCABULARY ACTIVITY TO FORM GROUPS

• Give each student a card as they come into the
  classroom that has either a vocabulary word or a
  definition.
• Have the students find the student with the word
  or the definition that corresponds with their
  card.
• After the students are in pairs, you can form
  groups of two or three pairs for a group activity.

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PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

• The sum of the squares of the legs of a right
  triangle is equal to the square of the
  hypotenuse.
• Let students see this definition illustrated
  with a hands on activity using graph paper.
• Internet activities using manipulations online
• http//www.ies.co.jp/math/java/geo/pytha2/pytha2.
  html

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TOOLS OF ASSESSMENT

• Vocabulary Quizzes (written and oral).
• Vocabulary on Tests (matching, true/false,
  multiple choice items).
• In-Class Worksheets for Daily Grades
• Games for Review Work