1. Kier L.S. Colon HWP Summer 2009
Using Writing in Mathematics Writing is how we think our way into a subject and make it our own. —William Zinsser Writing to Learn
Kier L.S. Colon
HWP Summer 2009

2. How can I keep my students responses in their Math Journals affective and interesting?
Bell-Ringer
Mathography
Open-Ended Prompts
Metacognition
Real World Experience

3. Activity #1-Brainstorming
Brainstorming math words.
Post it notes.
Discuss.
5 minutes.

5. Math Words Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Ratio Numbers
Measurement
Graphing
Statistics & Probability
Money
Time
Numeration
Algebraic Thinking
Regrouping
Skip Count
Place Value
Mental Math
Roman Numerals

6. Activity #2-Mathography
Prompt: Lots of times students think what they learn in math is only for the classroom and is really not of much use outside math class. Think about times you have used something you learned in math in your life outside math class recently. Share one of those real-life experiences.
4x6 Note Cards ( Different Colored & Numbered)
10 minutes

8. Open-Ended Prompts… I learned that I... I was surprised that I...
I noticed that I...
I discovered that I...
I was pleased that I...

9. Activity 3 – Refinement & Reflection
Reflection & Refinement with a Group.
Get in group with number on Note Card.
5-7 minutes
Big Group Share 1 from each group.
5-10 minutes

10. References
A Mathematics Handbook: Math to Learn by Great Source Education Group a Houghton Mifflin Company
Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teaching Developmentally by John A. Van De Walle
Best Practices in Writing Instruction Edited by Steve Graham, Charles A. McArthur, and Jill Fitzgerald