1. Presented by: Kortney Griffin August 20, 2015 Powhatan Elementary School

2. Identify what a math journal is, its purpose, and how it improves math achievement. Identify various components of math journal entries. Share resources to start begin our math journals

3. What is a math journal? Misconception: A math journal is a place where students solely respond to math prompts.

4. What is a math journal? A composition or spiral notebook that compiles information from daily objectives that can be used as a reference when working independently. A math journal entry is a teacher created document that can include examples, models, and vocabulary pertinent to understanding a particular math skill. Foundational skills Outlines math processes

5. What is a math journal? …continued… MISCONCEPTION CLARIFICATION: Can include prompts that students respond to. Used as a form of self-assessment of what they have learned in a problem solving process Use the BCPS pre-assessment “I Can” to guide the creation of your pre-assessment.

6. Why use a math journal? Teaches students note taking skills Promotes student independence Reference to use during independent work time, homework, and exit ticket. Support home-school connection Shows parents the process taught in class Less likely for parents to re-teach a skill the “old school” way Year-long reference (especially for objectives that require more than one day). Throughout the course of the school year From school year- to – school year

7. How to produce a math journal entry Consider the following… Math Unit Essential Questions Lesson Objectives Lesson Components Engagement/ Exploration mini lesson question Vocabulary Step-by-step processes Taught strategies Resources from the math office

9. Students were expected to Identify 2-digit and 3-digit numbers as ODD and EVEN numbers VOCABULARY Explanation of how to meet the objective

10. Students were expected to Represent 3-digit numbers in expanded, word form, and standard form Definitions Examples Reference Student Note Taking During the mini-lesson portion, students took notes on how to represent the models by drawing

11. Students were expected to create equivalent expressions by using models to regroup from one place value to another. Step-by-step model of how to perform the task

12. Students were expected to complete a series of numbers by identifying the pattern. Exploration question Model of metacognition Justification- great way to aid them in explaining their thinking Provide examples of possible future answers The very question used to introduce the objective

13. Math Journals should be: Organized by units Consistent among individual students in your class Make sense Front of the math journal Labeled with -student’s name -grade level -teacher name Math Journal Joe Smith 2 nd grade Mr. B’s class

14. Inside of front cover Standards for Mathematical Practices “Kid Version” Math Journal Rules

15. Math Workshop rules and schedule Inside of back cover

16. How do we format our math journals It is up to the discretion of the teacher to format the math journal to fit the needs of our students. Some ideas can include: Table of contents Standards for Mathematical Practices Number pages Math tools such as hundreds charts and number lines. Essential Questions The content, however, should be consistent among within grade levels. Long range planning and creating the journals based upon the objectives that students are expected to meet. It lends itself to the foundational skills and mathematical processes that students need to problem solve using higher level skills.

17. Experiences… 3 rd graders are expected to take their math journals home nightly, Parents have been referred to the math journal as they try and understand the nightly math homework and the processes we have used to instruct their child. We have referred parents to particular journal pages. It serves as a reference much like a math textbook. Students are allowed and expected to use it throughout the course of the lesson when working independently. During math discussions, when students are expected to recall previously taught skills, classmates can call out of page numbers for their peers to reference to help drive the discussion.