Expose your students to a wide range of maths vocabulary with our Maths Operations Symbols Display. This vibrant and practical display helps students connect key mathematical symbols with the language used to describe them. Whether your students are learning how to solve word problems or building their understanding of operations, this resource will help them make vital links between everyday maths terms and classroom strategies.

Check out this video below to see this resource in action.

Covering the four main operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – each poster includes the operation symbol and a selection of associated words or phrases. From terms like “sum” and “difference” to “groups of” and “shared equally,” these posters give students the vocabulary they need to decode instructions and explain their thinking clearly and confidently.

Easy to print, edit, and display, this resource is available in our basic fun font, all Australian state fonts, and an editable version. Pair it with your current classroom decor or use it to anchor student learning in a dedicated maths zone. It’s a must-have tool for building number sense, language fluency, and independent strategy selection during problem-solving.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Understand and use vocabulary associated with each of the four operations
• ✅ Match maths terms to symbols and real-world contexts
• ✅ Build confidence decoding and solving word problems
• ✅ Improve fluency in maths conversations and written explanations
• ✅ Strengthen links between language and calculation strategies

What’s Included:

• Operation symbol posters for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Common terms associated with each operation displayed clearly under each heading
• Editable version to customise language as needed
• Available in basic fun font and all Australian state fonts

Materials Needed:

• Printed posters (on paper or card recommended)
• Laminator for durability
• Sticky tack, pins, or magnetic strips for display

How to Use:

1. Select the appropriate font version for your class.
2. Print and laminate the posters for long-term use.
3. Display in your classroom maths area or near your whiteboard.
4. Refer to the posters when introducing or reviewing operations and during problem-solving tasks.
5. Use the editable version to add classroom-specific terms or translations.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Display above your maths whiteboard for constant reference during instruction
• 💡 Use when unpacking word problems to highlight operation cues
• 💡 Support EAL students by connecting maths terms to visual symbols
• 💡 Pair with classroom anchor charts or maths journals for strategy reminders
• 💡 Use in maths rotations for student vocabulary scavenger hunts

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage students to point to the matching poster when sharing strategies aloud
• 💛 Highlight terms used in daily warm-ups and match them to operations on the wall
• 💛 Use student-created word problems to extend vocabulary and display usage
• 💛 Display alongside manipulatives to reinforce strategy-to-language connections

Maths Operations Symbols Display is the perfect support tool for building maths language and boosting independent problem-solving. Whether you're focusing on word problems or fluency, this resource gives your students the vocabulary tools they need to succeed.

This resource forms part of our vibrant Burn Off decor pack. Available in our basic fun font, editable version, and all Australian state fonts.