Does the use of math journals improve students retention and recall of math facts and formulas?

Quantitative Research Hypothesis Students will use math journals to record their thinking processes which will help them internalize math facts and formulas improving retention and recall.

Quantitative Research Goals Students will use math journals to record their thinking processes and take daily notes. Students will improve their retention and recall of math facts by using their math journals.

Quantitative Research Study Unable to correctly take notes and journal thoughts. The lack of retention with math facts and formulas.

Quantitative Research Role of Researcher The researcher will be a classroom teacher who will: Instruct on how to take notes using prompts and share problem solving strategies to help students work through math problems. Create pre and post test assessments. Grade assessments Design notebook rubrics and writing prompts

Quantitative Research Role of Participant Participants will be 6 th -8 th grade math students who will: Take daily notes in their math journal. Write from a writing prompt weekly encouraging metacognition. Complete a pretest and posttest to assess retention and recall. Peer grade math notebooks using appropriate rubrics

Quantitative Research Data Collection Before Pre-Assessment scores During Weekly writing prompt completion Bi-Weekly notebook checks After Post-Assessment scores

Quantitative Research Types of Data Pre-Assessment Open-ended questions regarding math facts and formulas Weekly Writing Prompts Teacher created based on weekly unit of study Bi-Weekly Notebook Check Peer graded review of notes using a rubric with a 5 point scale Post-Assessment Identical assessment to pretest

How can students build connections to math in their daily life?

Qualitative Research Problem Statement Students are struggling to recall and retain information taught in mathematics. Can the use of a math notebook or journal help students realize the use of mathematics in their everyday lives? Will building relationships between what is taught in math class and real life help students internalize information?

Qualitative Research Goals Build connections between daily activities and math lessons. Determine if students feel the math journal is a useful tool.

Qualitative Research Benefits of Study Assess whether students have the ability to build meaningful relationships between what is taught in the classroom and real life. Provide a means of helping students realize their full potential in mathematics. Give students an opportunity to voice their opinions about what is happening in the math classroom. Positive and/or negative

Qualitative Research Role of the Researcher Observe student behavior Administer rating scale assessment Conduct an interview with students

Qualitative Research Role of the Participant 6 th to 8 th grade math students Take notes during instruction. Record thoughts, questions, ideas, feelings and connections while completing math assignments. Complete rating scale assessment. Interview with the researcher as a follow up to the research.

Qualitative Research Data Collection Rating Scale Assessment Student interviews. Observation notes.

Qualitative Research Types of Data Rating Scale Assessment Survey of their likes and dislikes of using the math notebook/ journal. Student Interview In depth look at what worked and what didn’t work. Why it did or didn’t work. What they would change. Observation Notes Observe students during note taking and record various types of journaling.

What can be done to improve students retention and recall of math facts and formulas?

Recording thoughts, ideas, questions and connections will improve retention and recall.

Action Research Goals Record thinking processes and take daily notes. Build connections between daily activities and math lessons. Determine if students feel the math journal is a useful tool.

Action Research Importance of the study Assess whether students’ have the ability to build meaningful relationships between what is taught in the classroom and real life. Provide a means of helping students realize their full potential in mathematics. Give students an opportunity to voice their opinions about what is happening in the math classroom. Positive and/or negative

Action Research Role of Researcher The researcher will be a classroom teacher who will: Instruct on how to take notes using prompts and share problem solving strategies to help students work through math problems. Create pre and post test assessments. Grade assessments Design notebook rubrics and writing prompts Observe student behavior Administer rating scale assessment Conduct an interview with students

Action Research Role of Participants Participants will be 6 th -8 th grade math students who will: Take daily notes in their math journal. Record thoughts, questions, ideas, feelings and connections while completing math assignments. Write from a writing prompt weekly encouraging metacognition. Complete a pretest and posttest to assess retention and recall. Peer grade math notebooks using appropriate rubrics Complete rating scale assessment. Interview with the researcher as a follow up to the research.

Action Research Data Collected Before Pre-Assessment scores During Weekly writing prompt completion Bi-Weekly notebook checks Observation notes. After Post-Assessment scores Rating Scale Assessment Student interviews.

Action Research Types of Data Pre-Assessment Open-ended questions regarding math facts and formulas Weekly Writing Prompts Teacher created based on weekly unit of study Bi-Weekly Notebook Check Peer graded review of notes using a rubric with a 5 point scale Post-Assessment Identical assessment to pretest

Action Research Types of Data (continued) Rating Scale Assessment Survey of their likes and dislikes of using the math notebook/ journal. Student Interview In depth look at what worked and what didn’t work. Why it did or didn’t work. What they would change. Observation Notes Observe students during note taking and record various types of journaling.

Preferred Research Method Action research combines the best of quantitative and qualitative methods. Data provided will drive instruction. Research will recommend future methods of math journal use.