One of the best ways to give students the background knowledge they need to understand math concepts is to teach them the vocabulary and comprehension skills that are essential to understanding math. So here's a book that explains how to do that and provides teachers with lots of classroom-proven ways to prepare students to be successful math learners: (1) Vocabulary strategies that help students comprehend terms that are critical to understanding math; (2) Reading-to-learn strategies that equip students with methods for extracting meaning from complex math texts; (3) Writing strategies that prepare students for problem solving and help them recognize the steps in math processes; (4) Graphic representations that help students visualize math concepts and personalize their understandings; and (5) Discussion and listening strategies that help students access prior knowledge and communicate about problem solving. Sample problems, checklists, and planning tools help you see exactly how to implement these strategies for students in every grade and ability level, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and special needs classes.