Writing in Math: It’s More than Just Numbers These Days Ashley Settle Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary

“Students have always written in math class – they have written the answers! But writing to learn mathematics means much more than the physical act of forming numbers or letters on paper. The writing process [in math] involves composing, expressing and communicating ideas.” Writing to Learn Mathematics, p. 34

Math with Pa & Ma Kettle

Roadblocks Teacher: “I can barely get my students to show their work. How am I going to get them to write about what they’re doing?” Student: “This isn’t ELA, why do we have to write?”

Why should I use writing in my math classroom? Math and writing, like oil and water, seemed to have little in common.” – Marilyn Burns Essential Questions Why should I use writing in my math classroom? What types of writing can be used in math? How can I begin to incorporate writing into my math classroom?

Take a few minutes to discuss with A Math Autobiography Describe your experience with math in grade school. What were your triumphs? What were your disasters? What is your honest opinion of math? Take a few minutes to discuss with your group.

A Math Autobiography “Teachers who ask their students to write their math histories early in the year report that they know considerably more about their students much earlier in the year than they did previously.” “Math autobiographies set the tone for yearlong conversations between my students and me about their interests, performance, and learning styles.” (Joan Countryman, p. 24 & 25)

Why should I use writing in my math classroom? Student Benefits: Writing helps students think more deeply and clearly about mathematics (Writing in Math, Marilyn Burns). Writing in math class supports learning because it requires students to organize, clarify, and reflect on their ideas (Burns). “Writing helps students make sense of mathematics. Mathematics helps students make sense of the world” (Writing to Learn Mathematics, Joan Countryman, p. vii).

Why should I use writing in my math classroom? Teacher Benefits: “I have information about students’ understanding that I didn’t have access to before” (Writing in Math Class, Marilyn Burns, p.29). “Students’ papers provide feedback and direction that provide teachers with useful information for thinking about changing, refining, and enhancing instruction choices” (p.30). “You will get to know your students in ways you never have before, and you will most certainly know who is and isn’t learning mathematics content” (Urquhart, p.5). Students’ writing is an invaluable tool to assess their learning – their papers provide a window into their understandings, their misconceptions, and their feelings about the content they’re learning (Writing in Math, Marilyn Burns).

Common Core Standards for Mathematics (p. 4) What do the CCSS say? “What does mathematical understanding look like? One hallmark of mathematical understanding is the ability to justify, in a way appropriate to the student’s mathematical maturity, why a particular mathematical statement is true or where a mathematical rule comes from. There is a world of difference between a student who can summon a mnemonic device to expand a product such as (a + b)(x + y) and a student who can explain where the mnemonic comes from. The student who can explain the rule understands the mathematics, and may have a better chance to succeed at a less familiar task. Mathematical understanding and procedural skill are equally important, and both are assessable using mathematical tasks of sufficient richness.” Common Core Standards for Mathematics (p. 4)

5 Types of Math Writing from Writing in Math Class by Marilyn Burns Keeping Journals or Logs A way for students to keep ongoing records about what they’re doing and learning in math class Solving Math Problems Convince the reader that their solutions are correct and also to reveal how they arrived at their solutions Explaining Mathematical Concepts/Ideas Students write what they know about a concept of idea Creative Writing Students write stories or poems related to what they’re studying General Writing Assignments Focus on how students feel about some aspect of their mathematics learning

Explaining Mathematical Type of Writing Prompt Type of Math Writing Examples   Content Prompt Deal with mathematical concepts and relationships Creative Writing - If I was one centimeter tall… - Haiku Poems - Write a letter to an absent classmate. Explaining Mathematical Concepts and Ideas - Multiplication is ________. - What I know about ______. - What I learned about _______. - The difference between _______ and _______ is _________. Journals or Logs - Write about what you did. - Write about what you learned. - Write about what you’re not sure about or wondering about. - The easiest/hardest problem from the homework was ______. Affective Prompt Center on students’ attitudes and feelings General Writing Assignment - Math Autobiographies - Math is important because… - What makes a good math partner? Process Prompt Focus on algorithms and problem solving Solving Math Problems - My answer is _______. I figured it out by _______. - I think the answer is _______ because ________. - A written step by step process for solving a problem. Compiled from Writing in Math Class and Writing in Math by Marilyn Burns Using Writing in Mathematics to Deepen Student Learning by Vicki Urquhart

9 Classroom Strategies Adapted from Writing in Math by Marilyn Burns Establish the purpose for writing in math class – Students need to hear why it’s important to make writing a part of their math assignments Establish yourself (the teacher) as the audience – Let students know that you are the eager audience for their writing; that reading their writing helps you become a better teacher Ask students to include details and to explain their thinking as thoroughly as possible – use words, numbers, and even pictures

9 Classroom Strategies Have students discuss their ideas before writing – talking is often easier than writing, allows students to gather their thoughts before putting them in writing Post useful mathematics vocabulary – create a math word wall Write a prompt on the board to get students started on a writing assignment – particularly in the beginning of the school year

9 Classroom Strategies Have students share their writing in pairs or small groups – enables students to hear other points of view Give individual assistance as needed – check that the student understands the assignment; ask the student to tell you their thinking; or refocus the assignment Use students’ writing in subsequent instruction – useful for extending lessons, shows students that you value their writing

Keep in mind… “Writing in math class isn’t meant to produce a product suitable for publication, but rather to provide a way for students to reflect on their own learning and to explore, extend, and cement their ideas about the mathematics they study.” (Marilyn Burns, Writing in Math)

Try This! DSTP Sample Item: Grade 3

Are you up for the challenge? “As you hone your repertoire of instructional strategies, you’ll find that students come to accept writing as a reasonable extension of what they’re doing in class and, finally, as a natural and integral part of their math learning.” – Marilyn Burns Questions?

Resources Burns, Marilyn. Writing in Math Class: A Resource for Grades 2 – 8. Math Solutions Publications, 1995. Burns, Marilyn. 2004. “Writing in Math.” Educational Leadership, 62:30-33. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_Math%20Standards.pdf Countryman, Joan. Writing to Learn Mathematics: Strategies That Work. Heinemann, 1992. Delaware Department of Education http://www.doe.k12.de.us/aab/Mathematics/Mathematics_item_samplers.shtml Glencoe Mathematics Professional Series. “Writing to Learn Mathematics.” Ch. 4:34-38. Urquhart, Vicki. “Using Writing in Mathematics to Deepen Students Learning.” McREL, 2009.