Approach to the probability in the Primary Education classroom. A case study about first linguistic elements

Language plays a fundamental role in the teaching and learning of mathematics due to the close relationship between expressions of common use and mathematical or probabilistic language style, especially about probability. This work shows an analysis of the first linguistic elements related to probabilistic language present in two second grade classes of a Chilean Primary Education school. To carry out this, we have focused on four major sources that promote probabilistic language and the development of probabilistic literacy: verbal language, numerical language, tabular language and graphic language. Results show a strong predominance of words and verbal expressions from common language, mainly linked to intuitive meaning of probability, and which move towards probabilistic concepts.