Zines in Math

  I don't know about your school but at mine, we are working on integrating both reading and writing across the curriculum so I'm always looking for ways to do this in a variety of different ways. 

When my latest math magazine arrived the other day, it contained one on creating zines.

It used to be we had students make posters and pamphlets but now with technology, we can now produce books or magazines.

Not all students understand math is more than just solving problems to get the right answer.  In addition, too many students believe you either are good at it or you aren't. If you aren't, you won't be able to solve problems but what about engaging students in a different way.

The nice thing about zines is you don't have to use technology.  you can but you don't have too.  You can do it in the old fashioned way.  All you need is paper, colored pencils or pens, and time.  If each student created a monthly zine to take home and share what they've learned, you have automatic communication with parents.

So how do you go about producing a zine in your math class? 
1. Decide if each student is to produce one or are they allowed to collaborate.
2. Brainstorm topics based on recent topics taught in class.
3. Narrow the selection down to one topic.
4. Have students research places the topic is used in real life.
5. Create the blank zine out of paper.  This site shows how to make it out of paper.  This site shows how to create a sewn version.
 You can also take sheets of paper, fold them in half, staple, and you are done.
6.  Make it.
7.  You can make copies using the copy machine.

I have not found any apps to use to make anything other than covers but I did find two places on the web for creating digital magazines.  Neither appears to cost anything if you use the free packages.  I will give the URL's but I have not had a chance to explore their services yet.
1.  Lucid Press claims to offer some free services.
2. Madmag offers free web based magazines.

The zines can range from stories and expository writing to lists, to pen and ink drawings.  Allow the student freedom when creating zines so they can:
a. Use their strengths to share their mathematical experiences.
b. Know they have something to teach others about mathematics.
c. Reinforce the idea that mathematical abilities exist that are not always recognized in the mathematics class.

Zines provide a safe place to express idas because anything goes.  There are not hard and fast rules involved in the content of a zine.  This allows students who feel they are not very good academically to produce successfully. 

Although the focus is on mathematical topics, these zines already have a built in audience of the teacher, other students, and parents. So they already know their audience but their parents may not be as familiar with mathematical topics so students need to create articles so as to teach their parents or others.

Zines can also provide a chance for students to reflect on their learning in a way that is most comfortable for them.  It gives them a chance to connect the math with previous experiences, with life outside of the class, and to help them verbalize their understanding of the topic.

Producing a short zine shouldn't take more than 2 class periods so give it a thought.  It is a great way to integrate writing into the math classroom.

Let me know what you think.