by Lori Wolfe, Monthly Columnist
Do you use math sentence frames during your math instruction? If so you know how they can solidify comprehension in not only second language learners, but also all students. Let’s take a deeper look at using sentence frames in Math.
Using Sentence Frames for Math Instruction
What is a sentence frame?
A sentence frame is a question or sentence with words removed to provide a language or writing support for students. Usually the sentence frame consists of a subject and a predicate. Examples of simple frames are I like___ or I can___.
Why use sentence frames in Math instruction?
By using sentence frames in math, teachers can offer a method of scaffolding for students as they build and develop math skills. Sentence frames give students an opportunity to access the math concepts and to engage in the classroom conversation of math by answering questions. Giving students part of the language of a sentence, or the structure of a sentence, allows a focus on the concept, not the language. A sentence frame helps students see what an answer might look like. Sentence frames gives students a chance to use the new math vocabulary in a meaningful way. Sentence frames supports students ability to produce language at a higher language level then they are at.
How to Use Math Frames During Instruction?
Sentence frames during math:
- Teacher models the use of the sentence frames including the new math vocabulary presented in the lesson.
- Teacher practices with class.
- Partners or small groups practice together.
- During the rest of the lesson integrate this practice.
- At the end of the instruction, students use the sentence frames to write about what they were learning.
Examples of sentence frames:
Click here to download a copy of this chart!
Lori Wolfe has taught English Language Development, bilingual 1st & 2nd grades, and as a Title I Reading and Math specialist. She also presents professional development workshops, develops curriculum and blogs. Follow her blogs at Fun To Teach ESL and Fun To Teach Math Blog for more great teaching ideas, tips, freebies and more. You can also find Fun To Teach on Facebook.
I was going to comment on how sentence frames were fantastic for my ELL students and then I noticed the author has worked with ELL students as well. I cannot tell you how instrumental sentence frames were in helping not only my ELL students but all of my students this year in math. My state rolled out common core in math this year, and students were asked to do more writing in math than they had ever been required to do before. So this was a challenge for all of my students, especially my ELLs. After introducing sentence frames, I began to notice was that my students were able to do more writing about their thinking. This was a challenge in the beginning because many students were not accustomed to writing during math, but the frames helped them get started and encouraged them to use the math vocabulary we were using in class. I love them! I do encourage you to MODEL,MODEL,MODEL, before you ask students to work with frames independently.