📘 Math Dictionary: A Simple and Powerful Tool for Young Mathematicians

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Creating a math dictionary with your students might just be one of the best things you can do to set them up for math success. It's personal and packed with vocabulary they’ll actually use and it’s totally student-made!

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🌟 Why Make a Math Dictionary?

Math words can be tricky, especially for young learners. A self-made math dictionary helps kids:

• Deepen their understanding of math concepts
• Build ownership and confidence
• Support language development
• Promote independence 
• Encourage review and retention
  
  

✂️ How to Make It (Primary: Grades 1–2)

You only need 3 sheets of colored paper.

1. Fold each sheet in half horizontally.
   
   
2. Leave one sheet whole (this will be the center of the book).
   
   
3. Cut 1 inch off the bottom of the second sheet (non-folded side).
   
   
4. Cut 2 inches off the third sheet.
   
   
5. Stack them with the shortest on top, and staple along the folded edge to create “tabs.”

✅ On the cover, write “Math Journal” or “Math Dictionary.”
✍️ Then let students decorate the front with positive math affirmations like:

• I can do hard things!
  
  
• Math is hard but I can do it.
  
  
• Talking with friends helps me understand math better.
  
  
• There is more than one way to solve a problem.
  
  

📂 On the exposed tabs, label each section:

• Addition Words
  
  
• Subtraction Words
  
  
• Place Value Words (on back)
  
  
• Equal Words (on back)
  
  

🧠 Then brainstorm with your class! What words belong in each section?

🔤 Word Bank (Grades 1–2):

Addition Words
add, plus, sum, total, increase, more than, altogether, in all, combined, join, put together

Subtraction Words
subtract, minus, difference, take away, less, fewer, how many more, decrease, left, remain, away from

Equal Words
equals, is equal to, is the same as, gives, makes, results in, balances, is

Place Value Words
digit, value, ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions, place value

🧮 Older Students, Bigger Dictionary (Grades 3–6)

👉 Add 2 more sheets to create 4 extra tabs. Cut each one an inch shorter than the last after folding.

Label the extra tabs:

• Multiplication Words
  
  
• Division Words
  
  
• Shape Words
  
  
• Fraction Words
  
  

✏️ Word Bank (Grades 3–6):

Multiplication Words
multiply, times, product, groups of, repeated addition, equal groups, each, in all, altogether, array

Division Words
divide, divided by, divided into, each, per, quotient, split, share, equal groups, how many in each, how many groups, out of

Shape Words
circle, triangle, square, rectangle, oval, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, cube, cone, pyramid, rectangular prism

Fraction Words
fraction, numerator, denominator, equal parts, halves, thirds, fourths, equivalent fractions, simplest form, mixed number, improper fraction

💡 Bonus Ideas:

• Let students draw pictures of math terms
  
  
• Have them write their own examples
  
  

Creating a math dictionary is more than just organizing vocabulary. It’s about empowering students to take ownership of their learning and giving them a tool they’ll actually use.

Give it a try — your students will love it, and so will you!

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