Why AREN’T You Writing in Math Class?

Peggy Corbett
Jan 19, 2009

My challenge to math teachers:  FACE YOUR DEMONS! As terrified as I am of math, I have it on good authority that math teachers are equally terrified of writing. However, math teachers who use writing in their math classrooms agree that it is an invaluable tool for helping students think more clearly and deeply. It supports the learning by requiring students to organize, clarify, and reflect - all of which contribute to making sense of math.

The purpose for writing in math is vastly different from writing in the humanities subjects. For one, it is not intended for publication and has only the teacher, or possibly a collaborative partner, for its audience. While it is advisable that all writing be in complete sentences and with appropriate capitalization and basic punctuation, the writing does not go through the writing process, because the teacher is more interested in WHAT the writer is saying than in HOW he is saying it. Suggestions for this type of writing might include:

  • Learning Logs: Writing about what they understand, misunderstand, or are confused about.

  • Explaining Processes: How did you reach this answer? Why did you solve it this way and not another way?

  • Reflection: Favorite activity or idea, least favorite, a letter to a parent or classroom visitor.


Getting Ready to Write
If you are ready to get started with some writing in your math classroom, you can ease your anxiety with a bit of preparation.

  • Explain to your students why they write in the math classroom. (Hint: It supports their learning and helps both of you assess their progress.)

  • Remind them that you are the audience or their collaborative partner.

  • Model what writing looks like in your classroom with a think-aloud.

  • Encourage (insist) on thoroughness. (The more details they provide the better you will be able to help them.)

  • Provide time before writing to talk with their partner about their thinking, and allow them to share insights from  each other in their writing

  • Provide prompts (sentence stems) to help focus their thinking. (I think the answer to this problem is_____ because ______ , or I got this answer by _________.)


Finally, stay focused on the power of writing to provide you with valuable data. Student writing can assist you each day with the important instructional decisions you must make. Remember that often the ability to articulate our understanding is as important as our understanding. I knew a little girl once who never raised her hand when the teacher asked if everyone understood. If, instead, the teacher had asked her to write her understanding, she would have written volumes.


For additional information contact www.LEARNING-FOCUSED.com.
Also, visit National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (http:standards.nctm.org)