Teaching & Learning Page

Building Strong Problem Solvers Through Mathematical Vocabulary

Have you ever noticed your child saying, “I know the maths, but I don’t know what the question is asking!” If so, they’re not alone.

Many students find word problems challenging—not because the mathematics is too difficult, but because they need to understand the language before they can decide what maths to use.

At Surfside, we’re placing a strong focus on developing students’ mathematical vocabulary. Just like learning to read requires understanding new words, becoming confident mathematicians also means learning the language of mathematics.

Why does vocabulary matter?

Research tells us that students who understand mathematical vocabulary are better able to:

• make sense of word problems
• identify the important information
• choose an appropriate strategy
• explain their mathematical thinking
• solve problems with greater confidence.

Words such as difference, altogether, equal groups, product, quotient, compare, increase, decrease, remainder and combine all have specific mathematical meanings. Understanding these words helps students recognise what is happening in a problem before they begin calculating.

More than “key words”

You may remember being taught to look for “clue words” like altogether or left. While these words can sometimes be helpful, they don’t always tell us which operation to use.

Instead, we teach students to think about the structure of the problem. They learn to ask:

• What is happening in this problem?
• Am I joining amounts together?
• Is something changing?
• Am I comparing two quantities?
• Am I working with equal groups?

Understanding both the vocabulary and the structure helps students become flexible problem solvers rather than simply searching for key words.

What does this look like in the classroom?

Throughout our maths lessons, students regularly:

• learn and discuss new mathematical vocabulary
• use the words when explaining their thinking
• connect vocabulary to visual models such as bar models
• sort and compare different types of word problems
• practise identifying the structure of problems before solving them.

By hearing, saying, reading and using these words often, students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics.

How can families help at home?

You don’t need to be a maths teacher to support your child! Small conversations can make a big difference.

Try asking questions such as:

• “Can you explain what that maths word means?”
• “Can you tell me what the problem is asking?”
• “How do you know?”
• “Can you draw a picture or bar model to show your thinking?”

Encouraging children to explain their thinking using mathematical language helps strengthen both their understanding and their confidence.

Together, by building students’ mathematical vocabulary, we’re helping them become capable, confident and resilient problem solvers—both in the classroom and beyond.

Adrian Chapman 

Learning Specialist