Writing to Learn Mathematics: Strategies That Work, K-12

By Joan Countryman

Book Overview

Investigating interesting problems about the world makes mathematics compelling and engaging, but many students experience math as simply a set of rules and procedures to memorize and repeat on tests. Writing, however, frees students of the idea that mathematics is a collection of right answers owned by teachers. In Writing to Learn Mathematics , Joan Countryman demonstrates how you can dramatically improve students' reasoning capabilities using: journals learning logs letters autobiographies investigations formal papers. The text provides descriptions of writing activities that classroom teachers can use to enhance the learning of math and includes examples of student writing, from short journal entries to excerpts from longer research papers. Most helpful are the topics suggested to explore at different levels of the primary and secondary mathematics curriculum, including descriptions of student responses to these presentations. Readers of Writing to Learn Mathematics will discover how writing can help students develop concepts and thinking skills as well as free them to recognize what they know--and what they want to explore.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0435083295
• ISBN13: 9780435083298
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.6" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 5 years and up
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

Good practical and theortical guide for writing in math

As an aspiring math teacher, I have searched for the best assistance in teaching math. The idea of using writing as a learning tool intrigues me. I have long thought this skill was much neglected in math education. This short, accessible book provides a brief yet thorough view of the subject of writing to learn mathematics. Each chapter provides the whys, the hows, and examples illustrating student's work. The easy-to-use layout increases the book's value as a reference resource for ongoing improvement of instruction. With many books I purchase to advance my knowledge, I read them and discard them. This one I will keep around to keep my instruction at it's best.

A Must for Teachers of Mathematics!

One of the few texts that seems to be out there for the mathematics classroom surrounding the idea of writing is the book by Joan Countryman titled, "Writing to Learn Mathematics." I found much of it very interesting and applicable to my work with portfolios and communicating mathematical ideas both orally and in writing. She illustrates different types of writing that can be used in a math class to illicit different kinds of responses from students. Her work includes actual student samples of writing, as well as commentary on what kinds of insight she gained about student understanding (or lack thereof), that might not have been gained from a more traditional test/quiz. If you are interested in incorporating portfolios, math autobiographies, or other kinds of writing in a math classroom, this is an excellent resource.