Math Journals

Math Journals, or problem solving notebooks are a great way to get students writing about their mathematical thinking.  They are also especially effective for giving you a glimpse into their problem solving process.

I use math journals almost daily in my class and often start with this strategy to help my students more coherently explain their thinking.

Teaching 4th grade in Nevada means teaching the dreaded constructed response math questions for our state test.  One thing that I have been trying in my class that has been very successful is the making a MESS model for problem solving.

As you can see from the anchor chart the MESS acronym stands for:

M - Model

E - Equation

S- Solution

S- Sentence

The students learn to use the acronym to help them set up a written response to a math problem so that they not only know where to start, but also all of the parts to include.  It is really easy to remember and they LOVE the idea of being encouraged to "Make a Mess".

I started my students off with the anchor chart above, then gave them my math journals which are set up using this method, and include 4 math prompts for each standard.  I print out the ones that my students need to work on most and place them in a folder for math journal time.

This student started to divide the given numbers (963/10) but then raised her hand and asked if she could round first.  I told her, "Try it!" 

The students become better and better at writing responses as we share methods and responses throughout the year.  Towards the end of the year in preparation for testing, I start giving them prompts without the model to guide them.  After working with the MESS model all year, they know what to do, and are better prepared. I really emphasize perseverance and trying things out before raising their hands to ask for help.  I compare it to a video game.  I say, "If you don't pass a level on a video game, you don't call me up and ask for help, you try something different, you persevere until you figure it out.  That is exactly what mathematicians do!"

I have been blown away by some of the feedback

that I have received!

Grade Level Math Journals Available:

1st Grade Math Journal

2nd Grade Math Journal

3rd Grade Math Journal

4th Grade Math Journal

5th Grade Math Journal



6th Grade Math Journal
 

Here are a few links with sample constructed response questions

http://tn.gov/education/assessment/ConstructedResponseAssessment.shtml

http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/Domain/217/Math%20Documents/Archives%20K-5/Grade%204%20Modules%201-10%20Response%20Guides.pdf

http://www.opi.mt.gov/PDF/Assessment/CRT/RI/07/07Gr3MathCR.pdf

I also have a Pinterest Board where I pin Math Journal Ideas.

I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday.  Head over there for some other amazing ideas, or to share something you have tried recently!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

 I would love to hear from you! ❤️

Have a question? Idea for a resource you might find helpful?

Be so kind and leave a comment below.

Tons of Giveaways!

One of my favorite things about being a teaching blogger is the relationships and friendships I have made with both fellow bloggers and readers.  I love being able to help my blogging friends celebrate the milestones they have reached!  I am helping two different bloggers with some amazing giveaways right now!

First of all, I am helping I'm Lovin' Lit celebrate her blogging birthday!


You will want to check out her blog each day of this giveaway because she is not only hosting the giveaways - but everyone is a winner with her limited time freebies!





I am giving away My Wonder Cooperative Learning Activities Pack.  There are also several other prizes to win each day!


PowerPoint Gaming is celebrating 300 + likes on Facebook with an amazing giveaway featuring 50 products!





I am giving away my Kicking It Math Multiplication Fact Fluency set.

Don't forget to enter my own $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway if you haven't already!

Monthly Teachers Pay Teachers $25 Gift Card Giveaway - March 2014

I have been so blessed to have amazing followers on both my blog and Teachers Pay Teachers.  As a special thank you I try to give back a little each month with a $25 gift card from Teachers Pay Teachers.  The only mandatory entry is to follow my TpT store, but there are several other ways to increase your chances.  Good luck!


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Five For Friday March 7, 2014

Another week has come and gone!  This week is flying by!  I missed last Friday because of our Nevada Reading Conference, so I definitely couldn't miss today's Five For Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching.  I love the chance to look back on my week and to peek into other people's lives as well.  I guess I'm just nosey curious like that!

This week we have been hard at work on our animal research projects.

We are using this Animal Research Project  packet from forkin4th.

We had our "store" this week where the kids spend their stickers from my classroom incentive program.

Store days are definitely a favorite each month!

We have also been having fun Mining For Multiplication!  I made a fun review game to keep up on our multiplication skills featuring one of their favorite activities - Mine Craft.

We've been doing a ton of small group reading and text work, and I am so impressed about how my students have been working in groups independently with very little of my input!

 Yesterday was my birthday and my students made it extra special with a Birthday cake and presents.  Love them!

How was your week?  Link up and share!  Also, don't forget to come back tomorrow to enter to win the monthly Teacher's Pay Teachers $25 Gift Certificate I give away!

3 Million Teachers Strong Sale On Teachers Pay Teachers and Pin it to Win It

(image credit: Rachel Lamb for Blog Hoppin')

Can you believe that Teachers Pay Teachers is already 3 million teachers strong!  That is a whole lot of resources and support!  I can honestly say that Teachers Pay Teachers has been an amazing blessing to both my family and my students.  The quality of my teaching has improved tremendously thanks to the resources that I have not only made, but have purchased from other sellers as well!  My wish list is way too long to even talk about, but with the great sale taking place Feb. 27 - 28th, I will be able to make a major dent in it!  I will  be having a  20% sale on all of my products at my store. Teachers Pay Teachers adds an additional 10% to that when you use the code TPT3 (You effectively save 28%).

I am linking up with Blog Hoppin' with a bunch of other sellers who are also throwing sales at their stores. Several of these sellers have products that are on my wish list!  Be sure to check them out and get ready to save on some amazing products!

As a special thank you to my followers, I am having a Pin it to Win It party for the next three days.  Pin your favorite item from my store and you can get it for FREE!  Limit one item per person.  Simply leave the link to your pin and your email address in the comments and I will send you the file as soon as I can.  Thank you again for all of your support!

My store link

Increasing the Level of Students' Writing

I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper today for Tried It Tuesday!

I don't know about you, but sometimes I will watch a teaching video like the one below and wonder, "How did the teacher get their students to talk like that?  On their own no less?  How do they push their students to go beyond "He is nice' when asked to describe a character?

I had an AH-HA moment a few weeks ago when I showed my students the video Austin's Butterfly which I have shared again below because it has been SOOO powerful in my class.

 I previously blogged about my students recreating the drawing assignment similar to the one in the video where they had to provide specific feedback to each other to improve their drawings.  We have now transferred that critique skill to our writing, and also our math work!  It has been amazing to say the least, and I wanted to share what we have been trying.

We have been reading The One and Only Ivan, and I wanted them to write about the characters in a deeper more meaningful way, referring to the text specifically.

(The question in the picture was an old one, not the current question).  

We started the process by sitting in our critique circle.

Then I asked the students to share what they had written so that we could all add specific feedback to make their responses better.  We use Marzano scales, so I used the language, bringing our writing up to a level three or four.

The first student to share was the one above, and it caused a bit of controversy.  In it he stated that Stella compliments Ivan's belly.  One of the students asked, "Did she?  I don't think Stella did that."  Then the most amazing part (in my humble opinion), one of my more reluctant readers who rarely shares said, "Yes, she did!"  He grabbed my book and said, "Look it says it right here." He defended the answer using the text!!! Are you kidding me?

As the students gave each other feedback, I encouraged them to remember about how in the video the students were very specific in their feedback.  They didn't just say, "Make the wings better." they said, "Make them shaped more like a triangle."  I encouraged them not to say generic things like "Add more details." but instead to offer feedback like, "Could you add more about what she looked like?" or "What did Ivan think about her?"  

Another student shared this:

And there it is, that teacher dreaded "She is nice" for describing a character.  But, this time, I didn't say a word. I let the other students offer feedback.  Here are a few of their responses:

"Who is she?  Can you be more specific with the character's name?"

"Why doesn't she like the clawstick?"

"How is she nice to Ivan?"

Their comments were very specific, and on point!  Here is his revised version:

We still need to work on spelling, but his content improved by leaps and bounds!

What have you been trying in your classroom?