The Best Language for Math

This is an article written by Sue Shellenbarger in the Wall Street Journal on Sept 10, 2014.  The opening sums it up quite well, "What's the best language for learning math?  Hint:  You're not reading it."

English has confusing terms in it for children to learn while learning numbers.  Eleven - this is a whole new word for English learners. Other languages see 11 as ten one. Numbers over 10 need to label place value.  Seventeen and seventy one are easily reversed.

Experts find that "these may seem like small issues, but the additional mental steps needed to solve problems cause more errors and drain working memory capacity."

Math video games that can help include:

• Addition Blocks by Fluency Games
• Hungry Guppy by Motion Math
• Hungry Fish by Motion Math
• Match by Motion Math
• Addimal Adventure by Teachley
• Monster School Bus by new Mexico State University Learning Games Lab

Let me know if you check out any of these games and would recommend them.