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Being "Write" About Math
Jean Long, gifted and talented teacher for 3rd and 4th graders at Simis Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona, sees first hand the positive impact writing and publishing math projects can have on her students. She believes there are so many "plusses" in doing such projects. "Writing about math," says Mrs. Long, "gives students a better opportunity to communicate ideas and concepts which leads to improved knowledge and understanding."
Further evidence of the importance of writing in math class can be seen in Joan Countryman's book Writing to Learn Mathematics. Ms. Countryman is the Head of Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island and believes students should write about math to:
· Increase confidence
· Increase participation
· Decentralize authority
· Encourage independence
· Replace quizzes and tests as a means of assessment
· Monitor progress
· Enhance communication between teacher/student
· Record growth
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Math Journals Improve Writing Skills
Laura Darley was a student teacher at Florida Gulf Coast University and was required to complete an Action Research project during her student teaching experience. Following the steps of an Action Research project, she decided to find out if her students' ability to write in math would improve if they wrote in math journals every day over the course of about 3-4 weeks.
 Ms. Darley began by having the children construct personal math journals using Lintor Create-A-Book materials. Although difficult for them at first, the students' writing improved each day and they quickly became eager to write in their journals. Using a scoring rubric, the students' writing was evaluated over the course of the project and significant gains were made by nearly all the children in the class. And in fact, at the conclusion of the project the students asked if they could continue writing in their journals...not only did their writing and understanding of math concepts improve, but the students had FUN!
Laura is now teaching first grade and continues to incorporate math writing journals in her class. |
The Infinite Possibilities of
Publishing in Math Class . . .
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