Literacy in Math: A Focus on Vocabulary and Word Problems | Learn From Dr. Sarah Powell
The Northern Ohio Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (NOBIDA) is excited to announce our upcoming 37th Annual Symposium, Celebrating Differences: Literacy That Empowers Every Learner, scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, at Walsh University in Canton, Ohio. This year, we are honored to welcome 3 in-person, keynote presenters.
Meet Dr. Sarah Powell
Presentation Highlights:
To be successful with math, students must develop strong skills with literacy specific to math vocabulary. When students struggle to understand math symbols and terminology, they have a difficult time comprehending word problems and solving them effectively. Dr. Powell will share her research on the importance of effectively and explicitly teaching math vocabulary to diverse learners, an activity that can feel like learning a whole new language for some students. She will share strategies that work with all learners and math-focused games to increase skills.
Practical Teaching Applications:
- Learn why explicitly teaching math terminology is necessary for students with learning differences.
- Review ineffective math word problem teaching strategies and why they don’t work.
- Gain effective strategies and activities for immediate classroom use.
Meet the Presenter:
Sarah Powell is a Professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research and teaching focus on teaching support and mathematics interventions for students who experience mathematics difficulty. With a focus on research-driven strategies, Dr. Powell has been instrumental in developing and testing interventions that address critical aspects of math education, including peer tutoring, word-problem solving, math writing, and understanding the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics
Join Us!
Learn from this speaker with NOBIDA, take part in our raffle, and find insightful resources from like-minded community partners at our 37th Annual Symposium on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Walsh University in Canton, Ohio.
