5 Ways to use Flocabulary’s math video lessons
Engaging students in math instruction can sometimes feel like a challenging equation to solve. How can educators make mathematical concepts come alive in a way that captivates and educates? Enter Flocabulary’s video-based lessons with activities that support vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills. From basic arithmetic to complex geometry, Flocabulary offers a treasure trove of resources designed to transform math learning into an engaging and memorable experience. Let’s learn how to harness the power of Flocabulary to enhance math instruction, from incorporating word problems and real-life applications to mastering math facts and prioritizing vocabulary.
New to Flocabulary? Teachers can sign up for a trial to access our lesson videos and assessment activities. Administrators can get in touch with us to learn more about unlocking the full power of Flocabulary through Flocabulary Plus.
5 Tips for math instruction with Flocabulary
1. Word problems
Word problems are a great opportunity to bring math and literacy skills together in a format that is concrete and fun. Students can use math skills they are learning and apply them by creating word problems for their peers to solve.
Follow these steps to teach word problems using Flocabulary’s math songs:
- After watching a Flocabulary math video, have students review the content and complete any supporting activities.
- Model for students by creating a sample word problem that utilizes the type of math operation you’re focusing on.
- Walk through the problem with the class, pointing out the importance of reading it carefully, understanding what you’re solving for, and underlining the most relevant information to help guide the problem-solving process.
- Break students into pairs and ask them to create a world problem that challenges another student using real-life examples. They can be as creative as they want to be, but lay down any processes you feel are necessary like how long they have to be, how many steps to include, and maximum or minimum number values to use.
- After a set amount of work time, have students swap their word problems with another student, solve and review. Encourage students to use the vocabulary in the video they are watching. You can even use the Word Problems lessons to help support word problem writing.
2. Connect math skills to real life
When math exists beyond the world of worksheets, students are able to make connections with their lives. Students can brainstorm a list of ways that math skills can be used in real life after watching a Flocabulary math rap video. Lead a brainstorm about the ways you could use that skill in real life. Many Flocabulary videos give you a few examples to start with. If you are teaching addition, for example, you could lead with an example about counting the total number of toys in their house by adding up how many toys each kid in the family has. If you’re covering probability, students might describe trying to figure out how likely they are to win different types of games. Take this a step further by mixing math instruction with life skills using Financial Literacy lessons.
3. Math facts challenge
With Flocabulary’s Addition and Subtraction lessons and Multiplication and Division lessons created around the mastery of fact fluency, teachers can create a math facts challenge in the classroom. Students work on the same math facts each week in class or at their own pace. Once students have achieved a certain score on each math fact number, they can move ahead to the next one.
Flocabulary’s videos for math facts progress through each level with a video and corresponding activities to practice the vocabulary and new skills. Teachers can find additional teacher resources with each video to support students as they practice and master these facts in a variety of ways.
4. Prioritize math vocabulary instruction
Integrate math vocabulary seamlessly into your classroom routines by incorporating it into activities like Number Talks and Do Nows. Use existing routines as opportunities to expose students to math words authentically in context, reinforcing their understanding through repetition and discussion. Encourage engagement and foster a vocabulary-rich environment by turning vocabulary spotting into a game with gestures or signals. At Flocabulary, vocabulary is key to our lessons and activities, so these video lessons and activities are perfect for math vocabulary acquisition and reinforcement.
5. Use videos and activities as math centers for students
With Flocabulary, teachers have a flexible platform to create student-centered learning opportunities or teacher-initiated experiences. Flocabulary math video lessons make instruction interesting when used as a topic spark to introduce a new math concept at the start of the lesson. When students are introduced to vocabulary prior to the lesson, their confidence rises.
Watch a video to spark interest in a new topic and use Discuss Mode to have the video stop at important parts to discuss new terms and ideas with students. After, teach your typical lesson however works best for you. When it’s time for students to work in class, revisit using Flocabulary activities like the Vocab Game, Quiz, Read & Respond, or Lyric Lab for student-centered activities to work on at their own pace in centers, stations, or small groups.
Start using Flocabulary for math
Let’s make math not just a subject but an adventure in discovery and understanding. With Flocabulary, teachers can bring literacy, comprehension, and vocabulary into every teaching moment. Ready to embark on a journey where learning meets rhythm and rhyme? Sign up for a trial to access Flocabulary!
New to Flocabulary? Teachers can sign up for a trial to access our lesson videos and assessment activities. Administrators can get in touch with us to learn more about unlocking the full power of Flocabulary through Flocabulary Plus.