Math Journaling

 

I have not used math journals in the last couple of years for several reasons. One reason is simply that the district I worked for was very much into following the pacing guide and it didn't have this activity incorporated into the textbook experience.  The second reason is that once the pandemic hit, it was hard enough teaching students with all the restrictions going on.  

Using math journals in the math class room help the student boost their learning.  It is also a great way to introduce writing into the classroom.  It has been shown that when students use a math journal, it helps them expand their thinking, and make sense of the problems that they might find confusing.

In addition, students are able to express their thoughts, and examine and monitor their thinking. It also provides a record of their thinking for the teacher to monitor their progress, understanding, and areas of misunderstanding.  A journal can be used in so many different ways in the classroom.  Some teachers have students record all their notes and sample problems in a journal.  Other times, students are asked to record entries at the end of class so they can discuss what they learned, what questions they still have, what they still don't understand, or reflect on their understanding.

A math journal can also be used with math prompts.  A math prompt is usually a beginning sentence, or question that requires students to finish it. It might ask them to compare and contrast two topics such as squares and rectangles, one and two step equations, etc.  It might be more general like "What I know about  __________ so far is ________.  The prompt might ask students to discuss why they are sure they got the right answer, or explain another strategy they could have used to solve the problem.  A math prompt is great for giving students a starting point otherwise they might just copy half their notes to show what they learned or they might not know what to write.

A journal can also be used to help students learn to explain their thinking.  A good way to help students is to work one on one by having them explain their reasoning. Let them begin the explanation verbally and then after one or two sentences, ask them to write it down.  Have them read back what they wrote and explain them to continue telling you more about their thinking, then have them write down what they just explained verbally.  Let them read it back and have them explain more.  Continue the read, explain, write down until they've finished the explanation.

Use the math journal as a starting point for a class discussion.  Assign the same activity to all your students.  When they are done, ask them to record how they carried out the assignment in their journals.  Collect the journals.  Overnight, read through the entries and select a few to read out to the classroom without mentioning who wrote them.  The next day, read out each one to the class while having students "see" what the writer had done.  If they couldn't, have students suggest what additional details are needed to make it clearer.  When done, ask the students to go back, review what they wrote, and make changes to improve their explanations. 

Next time, I'll explore how teachers can use math journals as effectively as possible in class.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.