Writing is a main method of communication. This is why it is important to build students' writing skills. It is an key skill that students must have. There are two forms of writing: public and private. Essentially, there is writing that is produced for several eyes and there is writing is produced for only one set of eyes, the author's. Writing can be formal and informal, but is important that students are able to write and communicate their thinking well. Some private writing strategies for math can be found below.
Private Writing Strategies:
Error Analysis: Students are given the opportunity to write about mathematical thinking and evaluate the correctness of a solution. They have to express their conclusions through writing.
Warm Up: Students will be presented with a warm up question during the beginning of class to work through independently.
Admit/Exit Ticket: This technique is a great way to have students reflect on a lesson, homework, or in-class assignment. This activity can be used as an admission to a class or as an exit from class. It allows students to make bigger connections and reflect through writing.
Writing/Sentence Frames: Students will be given a frame to work with as they write. This frame will help them formulate correct thinking and clear writing. The quality of their writing will increase and it will train them to be able to generate similar structure in their own writing.
Student Response: Give students a question to respond to in a paragraph or less. This will allow them to share their thoughts with their teacher and give their teacher a better idea of what they are thinking about their class.