It can be difficult learning two languages at once. In the case of an English language learner, the two new "languages" are often English and math. Children in schools where most of the language spoken is not their dominant language have a number of additional challenges when it comes to math language. Educators who are cognizant of this fact are more likely to find successes.
A child counts on to find the total number of cubes as the set increases.
A kindergarten student finds a way to sort cups by capacity.
A child identifies various shapes.
Jennifer McCray, director of the Early Math Collaborative, provides a play-by-play narration as a pre-k teacher leads her students through a tower building exercise with blocks. McCray provides insights into the complexity and impact of…
A story about bears moving in and out of a cave provides an opportunity for math thinking.
A kindergartner demonstrates how high he can count.
A child composes a 6-pointed star shape using pattern blocks in multiple ways.
A kindergartner explains how to draw a rectangle. Later he finds a new shape to draw in the classroom.
It is tough learning two new languages at once. In the case of ELLs, the two “languages” are often English and math.