Transformation Tuesday: Engaging Vocabulary Strategies- Always, Sometimes, Never

Today’s activities is one of my favorites! It’s called Always, Sometimes, or Never. Like last week’s strategy, it’s another great way to infuse critical thinking and vocabulary. My favorite aspect of this strategy is that students must be able to support their responses in order to be successful. This provides a great opportunity for students to think like a mathematician and prove or disprove mathematical ideas with supporting evidence.

Frame by Catherine S from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Borders-1983569

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a statement using at least two mathematical vocabulary words or terms.

2. Have students determine whether the statement is always true, sometimes true, or never true.

3. Have students record their response as well as an example and/or counterexample to support the claim on a whiteboard.

4. As a class, discuss the students’ responses emphasizing supporting examples or counterexamples.

Make it Cooperative! Use this activity to create a cooperative learning task by having student pairs or small groups discuss initial responses, share examples and counterexamples, and reach a consensus. Then have student groups share their responses with the class and discuss.

This activity can be confusing for many students. However, this is a fabulous opportunity to discuss the purpose of counterexamples. Be sure to let students know that if a counterexample can be found, the statement cannot be always true. If students can find both a counterexample and a supporting example, then the statement is sometimes true.

Sound Off! How do you review and reinforce vocabulary with your students?