Posted in: Aha! Blog > Eureka Math Blog > Eureka Math News Writing > Why Math Journals are a Tool You Should Use in Your Classroom
Nell McAnelly has some can’t-miss advice in Edutopia. In a recent blog post, she explains why teachers should empower students to use journals as part of math instruction.
As McAnelly explains, journals are more commonly used in other content areas, like English language arts classes or in science labs. But in a math class, a journal is a great way for students to express and clarify their thinking, work out problems, and get practice with diagrams and charts.
As McAnelly explains, “Sometimes, as educators and parents, we look for that shiny new thing to help propel children’s learning. With journaling, we’re using something tried and true and applying it in math class.”
She shares some tips for getting started.
- Create a cover or title page with the subject, name of the student, and room for the student to decorate and personalize the journal.
- Leave room, such as in the margins or one side of the page, for feedback or edits to a journal entry.
- Include titles and dates for each topic in the journal.
- Create a table of contents. That way, over time, students will be able to locate a problem or reflection.
If your classroom is entirely digital, try leveraging tech tools to journal with your students. They can work a problem or draw diagrams on tablets and take photos and upload them as part of a digital journal entry.
There is flexibility in math journaling, so give it a try with your students. As McAnelly says, you’ll soon see the benefits.
Read the full blog post here.
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Chad Colby
He has served in three state education agencies, which included time assisting New Mexico’s secretary of education with the adoption of new education reform initiatives; serving as the communications director at the Washington, D.C., Office of the State Superintendent of Education; and working as an assistant to the Florida Commissioner of Education. Chad also worked at the U.S. Department of Education from 2004 to 2009 and served as the deputy assistant secretary for media affairs and strategic communication during his final two years there. Chad is a native of Bloomington, Ill., and graduated from Florida State University.
Topics: Eureka Math News Writing