The question has been asked, why is maths so hard for so many students? One of the reasons could be the language that is involved. Each discipline within maths has its own terminology, and students can get lost between what is used in the classroom and what is used outside the classroom, ‘on the streets’ and at home. The tutors at Fruition Tuition are skilled in the terminology of math and look forward to helping students and carers alike understand what is meant.
Today, I will provide an overview of the different types of terminology that is used and the following blogs will take a deeper look at each discipline. NAPLAN tests use the language of math, so it is vital that students understand what terms mean what action. Let one of our reliable, local, and affordable Fruition Tuition centres help you decode the terminology.
The first discipline (stream/branch) of maths that any student encounters is number. There are many concepts in this stream, and many new terms for students to learn. Conceptual understanding guides the student and using correct terminology from the beginning sets them up for future success. They need to understand spatial terms, directional and comparative terms just to be able to count forward and backward. Then there’s the concepts of larger/greater and lesser/smaller, alongside the ordinal numbering of first – last. That’s all before they begin to use the four operations with their complex terminology. Let one of our early childhood specialist tutors get your student started in the right direction.
Algebra brings about a new set of language, primarily the language of equations, balance, and finding the missing pieces. Algebra deals with patterns, so a grasp of basic operations sets the foundations for complex equations, and formulae that are involved with patterns. Believe it or not, students begin using simple algebra in junior primary school, they just don’t know that this is what they are learning. Fruition Tuition maths tutors will guide students through the complexities of working out the desired number in multiple ways.
Measurement brings a whole new set of terms into the mix. Australia uses Metric measurement, and students learn about measuring many things. Weight, length, mass, volume, area, time, and temperature all have measures, and calculations attached. Fruition Tuition tutors are skilled at teaching students how to measure and change between units of measure.
Geometry has arguably the largest terminology store of all disciplines, as it deals with describing and categorising shapes. Many of the words used have Latin origins, thus adding more complexity. While intensely practical, geometry uses words such as vertices, symmetry, coordinates, and cartesian system when identifying shape and location. Students may get weary with all the different terms, so let one of our friendly, reliable, local, and affordable Fruition Tuition tutors give them wings to soar above the challenge.
Probability in early years uses language that is familiar, such as likely, impossible, certain, and always. Some trouble comes when students are asked to consider events that are dependent or independent of other events. Fruition Tuition can sort these things out for you.
Statistics has been spoken of many a time, but this too has its own set of language, particularly when analysing, predicting, and interpreting data. Mode, mean, and average are words that strike fear into unsuspecting students. There are the laws of averages, and formulae that come in. Take the time to learn the basics, which our Fruition Tuition tutors can consolidate before getting frightened of the big numbers and formulae.
