Writing in the Math Class
The Language of Math
Reasons to Incorporate Language in a Mathematics Class:
- Just as computers use an operating system to function, language is the operating system of our brains.
- Simply stated, to speak or write well is to think well.
- Both oral and written language are effective in increasing depth of understanding.
- It is probably a much better investment of a teacher’s time to look at a writing sample as an assessment than to look at a homework paper.
- Language takes students to a deeper level
- Language shows us what students are thinking
- Helps teachers correct misunderstandings
- Brain uses language to process information
Grading Student Writing versus Correcting Homework
Let’s face it, correcting homework papers is boring. There are even more reasons why this task is not the best use of our time:
- Wrong answers don’t tell teachers what students don’t understand.
- Correct answers don’t tell what students do understand.
- Some students use calculators, and others don’t.
- Some parents help with homework, others don’t.
- Students often copy homework.
- Dogs eat homework.
I just became 6th grade math chair at our PI school. Lots of improvement needed there. Thanks for the inspiration of your work.
Writing in an Algebra class has been the topic of several of our recent department meetings. What types of writing exactly would be beneficial to students/teachers?
Hello Mr. C,
Most of the writing my students do is called EZ-Writes, using 1/4 of a regular-sized piece of paper which makes it less threatening. After students have spent time working on a concept, application or algorithm, I ask either a simple or more complex question; but in either case, the whole process for students takes less than two minutes.
I might ask: “What was the most difficult part of xxx for you, and why?” or “What part of the xxx process is most important, and why?”
Students put their names on the small papers, turn them in to my Paper Secretary box, and then return to work. I can examine a whole class of responses in less than a minute. I collect those that exhibit a poor understanding and paper clip them together with my seating chart. The next day while others are doing the warmup, I can meet with these few students to correct any misunderstanding. The basic rule for me is “Keep the process simple.”
Hope this helps.
Mr. L