We should address reading directly with students and not leave them to struggle on their own
- Re-read it!
- Ignore it -- maybe it's not important.
- Try a problem or example.
- Look up a term in the index.
- Ask a friend or teacher.
- Consult another source.
Difficulties
Why is it so difficult to read mathematics and science?
- Students will feel insecure and intimidated by complex material and will seek to avoid it
- Far too much difficult information to process all at once -- need to have some kind of map and/or break material down to small bits
Why should we worry about helping students to read mathematics?
Why?
- Readers can learn independently
- It is useful to be able to read and interpret dense material
- Provides a backup when direct instruction isn't enough
Why is it so difficult to get students to read the text?
Preview
- It's hard
- It's easier to get information from instructor!
- Take time to familiarize your students with the features of their textbook.
- Do some formal previewing with them
- Emphasize the most important steps: new terms/definitions, main point of passage, pinpointing their goal in reading
Basic Strategy
Click/Clunk
What can you DO if it clunks?
- Read a very short passage (1 paragraph is a good starting place)
- Ask yourself -- Does it click or does it clunk?
- If it clicks, write a note that captures the main idea
- If it clunks, what clunks? A term, a math operation, a confusing sentance? Write down a note about it.
- Decide what you are going to do about it.
If it clunks
http://readingmath.pbworks.com/
Reading Mathematics
Review
- Reviewing the text helps to solidify the ideas of the section and helps students to see what they do and don't understand about the material, making them more self-aware as learners.
- Key points: summarize material very briefly, assess whether reading goals were met, decide what to do next (e.g. what to do if goals weren't met).
Angela Vierling-Claassen, PhD
Lesley University
October 2009
http://readingmath.pbworks.com