Writing in the Mathematics Classroom
Explanation and Evaluation
Student Directions
Today you will be given one problem to solve. Please show all of your work and then write about your process and results. The people who read your writing will be looking for these things:
- How well you told what you were thinking;
- How well understood the problem;
- The steps you used (and ways you)solved the problem;
- How accurate you were and how you explained your work so that it made sense.
You may use manipulatives or a calculator to work on your problem, but you must explain how you use those devices.
Guide to Completing the Writing
To make the clearest writing possible, you will want to be able check off each of the following listed below.
| Tell the Reader About Your Thinking |
| ___ |
My words make sense and I used correct math vocabulary. |
| ___ |
My work shows the reader what I was thinking while I worked the problem. |
| ___ |
I used pictures or charts to help explain my thinking (if it helps). |
| Understand the Problem |
| ___ |
I used all the important information to work the problem. |
| ___ |
I changed the problem into math ideas. |
| ___ |
My work and solution fit what was asked in the problem/question. |
| Processes and Strategies |
| ___ |
I used the right math to solve the problem. |
| ___ |
The ways(s) I worked the problem makes sense and is easy to understand. |
| ___ |
I showed how I checked my work. |
| Look at the Solution |
| ___ |
I explained why I know my solution makes sense. |
| ___ |
If it fit, I connected this problem to one I had worked before. |
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