The document discusses how using math journals can help students learn. It states that writing in math journals forces students to examine, express and track their reasoning about math problems. It then provides examples of open-ended writing prompts and strategies teachers can use to get students comfortable with writing about math concepts. These include think-pair-share, think-write-pair-share, and having students explain math ideas, formulas, and graphs in their own words. The document stresses that math journals can help both students and teachers understand the student's knowledge and thinking process.

2.  A math journal is one of the best ways to
introduce writing into your math class.
 It helps students stretch their thinking and
make sense of problems.
 When children write in their math journals,
they examine, express and keep track of their
reasoning.

3.  help students become aware of what they do and do not know
 connect prior knowledge with what the student is studying
 summarize the student's knowledge and give insight into understanding
 help the student raise questions about new ideas
 give the student a chance to reflect on what is known
 allow the student to construct mathematics for him or herself
 help the student keep his or her thoughts organized
 help address the issue of "math anxiety"
 help teachers answer specific questions such as:
◦ Does the student use mathematics to make sense of a complex situation?
◦ Can the student formulate hypotheses?
◦ Can the student organize information?
◦ Can the student explain concepts?
◦ Does the student use communication skills effectively?
◦ Does the student use appropriate mathematical language?
◦ Is the student confident in his or her abilities?

4. Writing about your thinking is challenging. It
is best to start with open-ended prompts
such as:
 I learned that…
 I discovered that…
 I was surprised that…
 I noticed that I…

5.  The basic steps to think pair share
-question
-think
-pair
-share

6.  Once students are comfortable with the
Think-Pair-Share strategy, introduce Think-
Write-Pair-Share strategy.
 As the students think about the question they
also write their response in a variety of
techniques such as webbing, pictures,
numbers, and words.

7.  Right now I feel…
 Write a question that looms large in your
mind right now.
 One thing I would like to accomplish today
is…

8. Once your students have had some time
writing about their attitudes and feelings
towards mathematics in their journals they are
ready to write about familiar math concepts.
 Explain by using pictures, numbers or words
what subtraction means.
 Explain what is most important to understand
about fractions.
 Tips I would give a friend to solve this problem
are.........

9.  What was going through your mind when you solved the
problem?
(to reveal the reasoning process)
 What was interesting?
(to see their curiosity)
 What helped you find the solution?
(to articulate strategic thinking, to find patterns, to
acknowledge the thinking of others)
 What are you wondering?
( to inspire further investigations, to perceive inquiry as
an ongoing process)

10. When you feel your students are ready, ask
them to write about more complex
mathematical ideas.
 Present a graph from a newspaper and have
your students write a paragraph about the
graph.
 Explain a formula.
 Write everything you know about probability.

11.  There are many
ways to organize
math journals and
math writing.
 You must decide
what would be best
for you and the
students in your
class.

12.  My favorite time of the day was…
because…
 Tomorrow I will do ________ differently.
Here’s how…

13. If you were to publish a book
about yourself, what would you
title it?

15.  Choose from any of the photos on your
table.
 Please attach them into your journal.