This packet offers 11 diverse opportunities for writing in mathematics with over 30 individual prompts for middle school students. Writing in mathematics involves more than just putting word to paper. Words need to be carefully chosen to communicate ideas and concepts clearly. Writing involves all of the language of mathematics. Reading, vocabulary, notations and symbols, diagrams, charts, graphs, and metacognition all serve a role as students are engaged in writing in mathematics. Many and varied opportunities need to be provided for students to engage in original thought writing. And remember, just because a students can say something in words, it in no way shows that they can write those same thoughts. Those are two different skill sets. Writing also provides opportunities for the verbal learner to excel as well as the creative learner. This beginning assortment of writing prompts can be adapted as needed for the course, topic, and level of the students. The important thing is to write! Just asking, “Why?”, “How did you think about that?”, “What could be another strategy used here?”, and “Is your conclusion reasonable?” requires students to engage in more than just procedural mathematics. On the back page is a sample of how journal prompt cards can be made for learning station facilitation or to print on labels for ELL/ESL and struggling learners and beginning writers.

Cubing and think dots are two strategies for differentiation in the classroom. Traditionally students are given a cube with a variety of activities or tasks at a given level. Different cubes can contain different levels of tasks and activities. Think dots work in a similar way. Cards with a certain number of dots are provided as well as a number cube. Students roll the number cube and work the associated activity or task on the card with the corresponding number of dots. Again, tasks and activities are varied or leveled to meet the needs of the students. In this adaptation of a cubing and think dots activity, there are two cubes. One cube has constraints for the actions performed on expressions. Another cube has actions to perform on expressions. Students also use one or two number cubes or they can use dominoes to create the quantities determined by the constraint cube. There is a variety of activities that students can engage in on set of 6 think dot cards. A blank set of think dot cards is provided for the teacher to fill in as needed – for example – choosing particular problems from a set in a text. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Writing is one of the parts of language that secondary mathematicians are still developing. For some students, ESL/ELL for example, what they know about mathematics may exceed their ability to communicate it through the written word. For that reason, pictures, diagrams, and the use of manipulatives support the students’ efforts in communicating about their mathematical experiences. Students learn to write by writing. Writing needs to be original thought, not just copying something that someone else wrote. Therefore it is imperative that opportunities are provided often for students to engage in writing about mathematics. As the teacher, providing an environment that is rich in mathematical language is a priority. Providing students a Mathematicians’ Notebook, if for nothing else but the development of a Glossary and a Journal, offers a place where students can record their thoughts and experiences as it chronicles their growth over time while on their mathematical journey. Students’ writing should include discussions about what they did or how they thought, why they thought or did what they did. Strategy names and correct mathematical language need to be included as appropriate. Students’ writing should make sense and be complete. This will develop over time for secondary mathematicians as they have more opportunities to write about their experiences. The following four learning station/center ideas can be first discussed in the classroom in a large group or small group setting before rotating out to an independent learning center. Facilitation notes are provided below for each station. The ideas presented are but a start for the many ways in which these activities can be adapted. Most of the masters have been made so they can be easily used in The Mathematician’s Notebook.

Writing is one of the parts of language that secondary mathematicians are still developing. For some students, ESL/ELL for example, what they know about mathematics may exceed their ability to communicate it through the written word. For that reason, pictures, diagrams, and the use of manipulatives support the students’ efforts in communicating about their mathematical experiences. Students learn to write by writing. Writing needs to be original thought, not just copying something that someone else wrote. Therefore it is imperative that opportunities are provided often for students to engage in writing about mathematics. As the teacher, providing an environment that is rich in mathematical language is a priority. Providing students a Mathematician's’ Notebook, if for nothing else but the development of a Glossary and a Journal, offers a place where students can record their thoughts and experiences as it chronicles their growth over time while on their mathematical journey. Students’ writing should include discussions about what they did or how they thought, why they thought or did what they did. Strategy names and correct mathematical language need to be included as appropriate. Students’ writing should make sense and be complete. This will develop over time for secondary mathematicians as they have more opportunities to write about their experiences. The following four learning station/center ideas can be first discussed in the classroom in a large group or small group setting before rotating out to an independent learning center. Facilitation notes are provided below for each station. The ideas presented are but a start for the many ways in which these activities can be adapted. Most of the masters have been made so they can be easily used in The Mathematician’s Notebook.

One Duck Stuck, by Phyllis Root, is a beloved children’s book. Not only does the story engage children it can also serve as a foundation for many mathematical investigations for primary mathematicians. Using doubles is one of the foundational strategies for primary mathematicians as they are building number sense. Connecting this study to a familiar story makes these activities more engaging for students. Additional literacy connections are suggested for use with introducing the concept of doubles. Questions are provided that can be used during the development of the activity to determine the desired focus of the lesson. It is very important that young mathematicians understand that numbers are quantities represented by numerals, pictures, numerals, etc. Materials are listed for each of the activities. The 12 pages include both black line masters as well as color masters have been provided. Suggestions for preparing the materials have been noted as well to facilitate making classroom sets for long term use. 45 pages of blackline and colorline masters 5 pages of facilitation notes and sample questions This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Rooster's Off to See the World by Eric Carle, is a beloved children’s book. Not only does the story engage children it can also serve as a foundation for many mathematical investigations for primary mathematicians. The natural progression from counting and making comparisons is to composing and decomposing numbers. The earlier experiences with sets and the relationships between numbers laid the foundation for young mathematicians to learn about operating with numbers. Using operations to make sense of situations in their world or to describe events in their world helps young children build an understanding for the need for operations. The discovery of some basic properties, such as the commutative property of addition, also allow students to build strategies for working with progressively larger numbers as they move from kindergarten through second grade. Primary mathematicians first model “put together” and “take apart” situations using concrete objects, drawings, etc. These concepts are then expanded to composing and decomposing numbers additively. A connection to students’ prior work with building sets is important as students are developing fluencies with their addition and subtractions facts. Children need many opportunities to experience these situations. Incorporating a familiar story allows children to practice these mathematical ideas in a contextual setting. To effectively facilitate these activities, be sure to cover the common addition and subtraction situations found in Table 1, CCSSM, page 88. Questions are provided that can be used during the development of the activity to determine the desired focus of the lesson. It is very important that young mathematicians understand that numbers are quantities represented by numerals, pictures, numerals, etc. Materials are listed for each of the activities. The 25 pages include both black line masters as well as color masters have been provided. Suggestions for preparing the materials have been noted as well to facilitate making classroom sets for long term use.

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, can make the mathematics being studied come alive for the student as well as have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. See several samples of the mathematics that can be experienced by students from kindergarten through high school through well-known pieces of children’s literature. Experience how mathematics and the way it is presented can help make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. Contains over 80 assorted activities with over 30 to engage students AS YOU READ, over 35 for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and over 24 activities to provide students authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. Activities can be adapted for large group, small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. A MUST HAVE book for all middle school teachers. Several activity sheets and blackline masters are included as well as tables identifying key words, topics, and suggested manipulatives. Books not included.

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, can make the mathematics being studied come alive for the student as well as have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. See several samples of the mathematics that can be experienced by students from kindergarten through high school through well-known pieces of children’s literature. Experience how mathematics and the way it is presented can help make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. Contains over 80 suggested activities with over 32 to engage students AS YOU READ, over 26 for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and over 24 activities to provide students authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. Activities can be adapted for large or small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. A MUST HAVE book for all high school teachers. Several activity sheets and blackline masters are included as well as tables identifying keywords, topics, and suggested manipulatives. Books not included.

Writing is one of the parts of language that younger mathematicians are still developing along with their reading, talking, and listening skills. Children learn to write by writing. Writing needs to be original thought, not just copying something that someone else wrote. Therefore, it is imperative that opportunities are provided often for students to engage in writing about mathematics. As the teacher, providing an environment that is rich in mathematical language is a priority. Writing About offers a collaborative opportunity for small groups of students to work individually first to write about a concept and then to come together and putting their individual work into a paragraph about the topic. A word cloud is given as a prompt for words and ideas. Facilitation notes are provided as well as student activity sheet. This is a good activity for struggling students and ESL/ELL who may need some support in writing. Geometry, Positional Words, Numbers, Addition & Subtraction, and Measurement are included. This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Students at all levels need many experiences with estimating. This collection of 45 full color photographs can be used as journal prompts, discussion starters, bell ringers, or for centers, small groups, or learning stations. These pictures have been chosen and formatted with estimation in mind but serve many other academic topics as well as opportunities for making meaning through writing. Pictures include animals, plants, and inanimate objects. 45 images 3 pages of facilitation notes This resource is useful for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Perfect resource for RtI/Intervention, small group instruction, or learning stations. Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, as well as support ELL/ESL students. Contains 12 pages with over 15 assorted activities, A MUST HAVE book for all secondary teachers. Several activity sheets and blackline masters are included as well as tables identifying keywords, topics, and suggested manipulatives. Book not included.

The activities in this packet are intended to support these challenges. Time on a Number Line helps students develop the base 60 aspect of time and time measures on the clock. It also provides a strategy for working with elapsed time. Readin’ ‘Round the Clock supports students working with the relationship between the hour hand and the minute hand. Numbers around the Face is a game that helps students first learn the numbers on the clock. These activities are also suited for students who have challenges with learning and need the extra support. I Have Who Has Elapsed Time covers elapsed time at a more sophisticated challenging level for students who are ready. This resource is also good for children with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd really like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

NCTM describes “representation” as referring to both a process and a product. So mathematical representations include all the different ways that students depict their thinking as well as the processes they use to put their thinking into those forms. Representations have often been taught as an end in and of themselves, most as essential elements in supporting students’ understanding. When students gain access to mathematical representations and the ideas they express they acquire a set of tools that significantly expand their capacity to model and interpret physical, social, and mathematical phenomena. The place value activity takes two- and three-digit numbers and represents them through a concrete manipulative, the written symbol, a verbal symbol, a diagram, picture, graph, drawing, or table, and an algebraic representation with a mathematical sentence. There is also a contextual problem for the students to work through. There are six sets of cards, each with 6 representations with facilitation notes. The fraction activity takes common fractions and represents them through a concrete manipulative, a verbal symbol, a fraction model, a number line representation, and a symbolic representation. There is also a contextual problem for the students to work through. There are five sets of cards, each with 6 representations with facilitation notes. This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Do trade books have a place in today’s mathematics classroom? Yes! Incorporating literature into the mathematics classroom at any level can increase student engagement, can make the mathematics being studied come alive for the student as well as have meaning, and can help to differentiate instruction as well as support ELL/ESL students. See several samples of the mathematics that can be experienced by students from kindergarten through high school through well-known pieces of children’s literature. Experience how mathematics and the way it is presented can help make mathematics more accessible and understandable for students at all levels. Contains over 80 assorted activities with over 35 to engage students AS YOU READ, over 29 for students to experience BEING A MATHEMATICIAN, and over 21 activities to provide students authentic OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITING. Activities can be adapted for large group, small group, centers, learning stations and for intervention. A MUST HAVE book for all intermediate teachers. Several activity sheets and blackline masters are included as well as tables identifying key words, topics, and suggested manipulatives. Books not included.

Dominoes are one of the older and more versatile of manipulatives. Dominoes serve as a concrete representation for many mathematical concepts. The use of dominoes can serve as a bridge for many students to the more abstract understandings that need to be developed. This collection of activities for primary mathematicians offers a variety of experiences using dominoes as well as number charts. Samples of 20, 50 charts, 100 charts and activity pages including unknowns and comparisons are provided. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts for extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook. This resource is great for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

The activities in this 20 page packet on A Study of the Real Number system include: 2 application probes 2 investigations 7 tasks to probe students deeper into their study of this topic several pre-assessment and writing activities that support the development of the language of mathematics Student activity and investigation sheets are provided as well as teacher facilitation notes. Many of these activities can be extended into the Complex Number System as well. This resource is good for students with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Secondary students participate in a kinesthetic activity that reviews distance in relation to rate and time as well as a study of slope in relation to a contextual example. Students will use a three-dimensional experience to connect on two-dimensional space. Student reporting sheet, group observation sheet, review probes and class power point are provided. This resource is good for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

Dominoes are one of the older and more versatile of manipulatives. Dominoes serve as a concrete representation for many mathematical concepts. The use of dominoes can serve as a bridge for many students to the more abstract understandings that need to be developed. This collection of activities for intermediate mathematicians offers a variety of experiences using dominoes as well as number charts. Samples of 20, 50 charts, 100 charts and activity pages including unknowns and comparisons and domino equations are provided. Multiple charts per page are provided as well as blank charts for extensions. The two per page and four per page will fit nicely into the Mathematician’s Notebook. This resource is great for students with dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies.

Students learn mathematics more effectively and more deeply when reading and writing is directed at learning mathematics. (Bossé and Faulconer 2008) This packet includes four activities that target foundational components for developing understandings and building fluency with key mathematical topics:Mathematics: Data Vocabulary and writing are targeted and facilitation notes are provided to support making mathematics content accessible to all learners. Templates and additional resources are provided. This resource is good for children with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!

Students learn mathematics more effectively and more deeply when reading and writing is directed at learning mathematics. (Bossé and Faulconer 2008) This packet includes four activities that target foundational components for developing understandings and building fluency with key mathematical topics:Mathematics: Fractions. Vocabulary and writing are targeted and facilitation notes are provided to support making mathematics content accessible to all learners. Templates and additional resources are provided. This resource is good for children with Dyslexia and language-based learning deficiencies. We'd like to hear about your experience with our resources. Just give it a star rating then tell us what you think, simple as that!