The purpose of writing in mathematics is well explained in "Writing in the Mathematics Curriculum" by Patricia C. Burchfield, Patricia R. Jorgensen, Kimberley G. McDowell, and Jim Rahn: Writing is a natural process, a method of communication between people and a way to express the thoughts and feelings that occur within a person. Its use as a tool for the teaching and learning of mathematics is a recent development, springing in part from the NCTM Standards on Communication. No longer the exclusive province of the humanities, writing is now in use in mathematics classes at all levels, K-12. Through the use of writing in the mathematics classroom, students can clarify their thinking, recognize and appreciate the connection between mathematics and other disciplines, and communicate their thoughts, ideas, and understanding about the subject with other students. Writing involves all students, both male and female, and the teacher. It is important for the students to see the teacher participating in these writing activities. Writing provides an alternative mode of learning for those creative students who have not previously been reached by more traditional, structured, linear methodology. Because a student often knows more than he or she can explained verbally, writing helps the student to uncover more of what is known and to express it. Once the students have had the opportunity to collect their thoughts on paper, they may then volunteer to share their work. Finally, as Joan
Countryman says in her book, Writing to Learn Mathematics:
Writing should:
When writing, thoughts become clearer--you discover
exactly what you are thinking. When
writing in your math journal, use words, pictures, numbers, and
manipulatives. Through math journals, verbal knowledge, mathematical knowledge,
personal experience, and visual ideas merge as you make mathematical ideas
your own. You will find yourself
improving how you define concepts and explain solutions clearly and logically
as you write and draw in your own style to discover real math. What I will write in my math journal?First, students need to
print out the Math Journal Form.
Students will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
to print out the Math Journal Form.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, a limited version is provided free
from Adobe. You may obtain it by clicking on the Adobe icon Second, students will be
assigned one of the math writing prompts from one of the three available
categories: Affective/Attitudinal Prompts, Mathematical Content
Prompts, and Process Prompts. Then, students will respond the
assigned prompt on the journal form. Math Writing PromptsThese prompts
will be used through out the lessons that will be covered in class.
Scoring Rubric for Math Journal
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