“When it comes to writing in the content areas, math seems to be the content ‘outlier’. However, math also has a story to tell.” Heather Gawron, Educator
What’s a math teacher to do when she/he wants to know what her students’ REALLY know? Like “know” as in they can use words to explain a concept or teach someone else the concept. She/He asks them to write about it! I have recently integrated writing in my math classroom and I would like to share what I have learned and a strategy with you.
“A-ha” Discoveries of incorporating writing in the math classroom:
Writing will look different in math class.
There is more to writing in math than mere justifications and error analyses.
Writing about mathematical concepts and ideas naturally integrates the SCCCR Mathematical Process Standards with the SCCCR Content Standards for Mathematics to develop students’ mathematical literacy.
Writing is, indeed, part of the mathematical equation!
Benefits of Writing in Math:
Writing has fostered community in my “upper/middle grade” classroom.
Writing about mathematical concepts develops mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills.
Writing about mathematical concepts aids in the acquisition of mathematical vocabulary which in turns aids in understanding mathematical processes.
Writing in math gives me a window into my students’ thoughts that I don’t normally get when they just compute problems. It shows me their roadblocks, and it gives me, as a teacher, a road map.
Writing in Math Strategy: Math Talks
Math Talks?…. Wait, you might be thinking, “talking is not writing”. However, how many of us write down our thoughts about something before we talk about it? Oh yeah.... Students are given a topic to talk about-but first we write.
How does Math Talk look in my classroom?
Math Talk is designated for every other Monday in our classroom. My students and I call it “Monday Math Talk”. To be most effective, researchers suggest that Math Talk be held 2-3 times a week. #goals
Students glue the discussion prompt in their math notebook and record their own thinking before talking about it with each other. Writing their own thinking down helps them get a more concrete handle on the logic of their ideas. It is also great for accountability purposes!
After our Math Talk, students return to their writing to add new thinking and clarify any misconceptions if necessary.
Benefits of Math Talk:
Math Talk engages students and takes them from being passive listeners to active listeners who are eager to ask questions and provide personal explanations (Scholastic’s Top Teaching Blog, Genia Connell’s Math Talk 101).
Math Talk fosters classroom community.
Math Talk uses deeper mathematical thinking and reasoning skills (rather than just memorizing procedures).
Math Talk helps students develop their social skills.
Does this sound “write” up your alley and you want to give it a go? Here are some tips that may be helpful to you.
Tips for Implementing Math Talk:
An anchor chart with sentence stems/starters is especially helpful when first introducing Math Talk. I searched Pinterest (what would we do without Pinterest or Instagram?) for a “Math Talk” anchor chart idea which led me to Zearn.com. Here is a picture of the anchor chart I displayed.
Start Math Talk in small groups; this allows for differentiation of topics and allows for students to feel more comfortable talking.
Start with an open-ended question with several possible answers like the one listed below: Which number doesn’t belong? 9 16 25 43
(Credits: Scholastic's Top Teaching Blog)
Consider having students “circle up” in chairs or on a carpet.
Don’t get discouraged if there isn’t much “talk” the first couple of times. As you know, students will “warm up”.
Jennifer Serravallo dedicates a whole chapter of strategies for supporting students’ conversations in her book The Reading Strategies Book. Although she is referring to supporting conversations in book clubs, many of the strategies shared can be applied to Math Talk. Like book clubs, Math Talk addresses speaking, listening, and deep comprehension skills.
I was nervous about incorporating writing in my math classroom but if I want my students to take risks with their learning, I should too! So, I encourage you to make writing in math part of your classroom story! It’s the “write” thing to do for our students!
Source: Scholastic’s Top Teaching Blog, Genia Connell’s Math Talk 101
No comments:
Post a Comment