Are your students having trouble with multiplication and division word problems? It could be that they need more practice with the vocabulary terms.

Explicitly teaching terms like product and quotient is crucial for helping kids tackle word problems, not to mention solving basic algorithms like multi-digit multiplication.

In this post I’m sharing why building math vocabulary matters, fun activities for introducing these terms, and strategies to reinforce them in your lessons.

Math Vocabulary is Important

Let’s start with why math vocabulary is so important. We often think of math as just numbers and equations, but the truth is, that math is a language. Understanding that language is the key to unlocking concepts and solving problems.

For example, if a student doesn’t know what the word product means, they’re going to struggle to solve a problem that says, “What is the product of 7 and 8?” 

And it’s not just about knowing the definition.

Kids need to understand how these terms connect to the math concepts that they’re learning. 

When they do, it boosts their confidence and helps them tackle more complex problems.

Now let’s talk about some practical ways to introduce and practice multiplication and division vocabulary terms.

One idea is to introduce each vocabulary term with flashcards. This method is versatile and can take up as little or as much time as you like.

Use flashcards to introduce a term a day, or a few a day. Whatever works best for your schedule and your students.

When you introduce each term, follow a routine so students know what to expect each time.

Teach them the definition by using a student-friendly definition and then provide an example visually on the board or document camera.

The great thing about flashcards is you can use them for spiral review until students grasp the meanings of the vocabulary terms. 

Math Word Wall

Another idea for introducing math vocabulary terms is to create a math-specific word wall. A math-specific word wall can help students have access to these terms as you introduce them. If you have room, dedicate a section of your classroom to display key terms like factor or product. 

Include a student-friendly definition, an example, and even a visual representation. 

For example, under the word factor, you could write, “a number that is multiplied by another number” and include an example like 7×2=14, 7 and 2 are factors.

If you don’t have room, students can have individual math word walls in their folders or notebooks that they add to as you teach each term.

Word sorts are another great activity. Write math terms on one set of cards and definitions or examples on another. Have students match the terms with their meanings. Then you can even add a third set of cards with visual examples, like arrays or number lines.

You can also use interactive anchor charts. Anchor charts don’t have to be static. Create one for multiplication and division vocabulary, and let students interact with it by adding their own examples or using sticky notes to show where they see these terms in real-world situations.

Another idea is to use math journals. Math journals are a wonderful way for students to process vocabulary. Ask them to write the term, define it in their own words, and draw a picture or diagram to illustrate it.

For example, a student might write, “A quotient is the answer you get when you divide two numbers,” and then draw a picture to represent the concept in a way that makes sense to them.

Once you’ve introduced the multiplication and division vocabulary terms your students need to know, it’s time to reinforce them. 

Here are some ideas for doing that:

Play games like memory so kids can review multiplication and division terms in a fun way.

Another way to reinforce math vocabulary terms is to make a habit of using the terms frequently during lessons. For example, instead of saying, “What’s the answer to 6 x 7?” say, “What is the product of 6 and 7?” This consistent exposure helps the terms stick.

You can also turn vocabulary practice into a fun game by playing Pictionary with math terms. One student draws a representation of a term like quotient or factor, and their teammates guess the word.

Are the kids learning the multiplication and division vocabulary terms?

Now let’s talk about how to know if your students are actually learning these terms.

Here are a few ways to check for understanding:

Use exit tickets where students write the definition of a term, draw an example, or use the word in a sentence. It can be done on a sticky note for a quick check. For example, “Write a multiplication equation and underline the factors.”

Something else you can do to assess, is pair students up and have them teach each other a term. For example, one student might explain product and give an example, while their partner explains factor. Then they switch roles.

An effective assessment strategy in math is to give students incorrect math where they have to find errors. You can do the same with math vocabulary terms.

Give students a problem with an incorrect use of a term, like “The factor in the problem 6 x 8 = 48 is 48,” and ask them to correct it. This helps them think critically about the vocabulary.

To recap, building math vocabulary is essential for helping students connect concepts and solve problems with confidence. 

By introducing terms like factor, product, and quotient through engaging activities and reinforcing them in your lessons, you’re setting your students up for success in math.

Remember, you don’t have to tackle every term all at once. Start with a few key words and gradually build from there. And don’t forget to make it fun! When students feel confident with math vocabulary, their problem-solving skills will grow.

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