A Systematic Approach to Teaching Mathematics Vocabulary Using Movement in the Middle School

Book excerpt: This capstone addressed the question: What is a systematic approach to teaching mathematics vocabulary using movement in the middle school? The research presented in this capstone ties together best practices for teaching adolescent students, best practices for teaching content area vocabulary, and brain research that supports the use of movement as a way to enhance understanding and retention. The capstone culminates with a curriculum handbook that takes most of the required math vocabulary words, as dictated by the Minnesota Department of Education, and depicts each word using a definition, action movement, context/formula/example, and a picture. The method for teaching the stated vocabulary words is Total Physical Response. Within the curriculum handbook there are directions for using the method of Total Physical Response and instructions for incorporating the action movements into a daily classroom routine.