tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782123851860834680.post4777277601151590092..comments2008-02-25T08:03:10.834-08:00julialandaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13226260213225189737noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782123851860834680.post-320344903005351692008-02-25T08:03:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:03:00.000-08:00Some of the things you talk about on your blog, particularly concerning language and mathematics, are covered in my book "A Handbook of Mathematical Discourse" (Charles Wells, 2003, Infinity Press). You should also read the book by Kay O'Halloran on mathematical discourse, which is based on Halliday's work.Charles Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14261531542957899211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1782123851860834680.post-6076769887753010702008-01-22T21:39:00.000-08:002008-01-22T21:39:00.000-08:00Julia -<BR/><BR/>Nice work! You have written quite a lot. (Don't feel that you always have to write long blog either -- just a few paragraphs is good too if there's lots of interesting thought and commentary in it.)<BR/><BR/>I really like the way you have made personal connections with this reading, including examples from Chinese and English and examples from your own teaching both here and in China.<BR/><BR/>I'm interested to hear that you are becoming increasingly aware of word construction and word origin in Chinese and English. I think this is a very useful kind of awareness in trying to understand culture and education -- so much of history and culture is embedded in words and language. Please keep blogging about interesting word connections you discover as the course goes on!<BR/><BR/>I realy like your example of "product" as an ambiguous word in math and your students' lack of experience with "clockwise" clocks. Very interesting too to compare the Chinese and English words for "diagonal". It's a bit like the Norwegian students who wonder why we ask (in Norwegian translation) "What do meat-eaters eat?", which in the original English was, "What do carnivores eat?" With "diagonal", the very word in Chinese gives lots of useful information and helps clarify the concept.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you that it's not only language itself but also teaching skills that make a huge difference for kids' math learning. Nonetheless, it's important to be able to recognize the effect language has on learning, and to plan lessons that acknowledge that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks -- great blog!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15304668065590209864noreply@blogger.com