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35 Writing in Math

Page
313
from
Write Ahead

Writing in Math Chapter Opener

Start-Up Activity

Ask your students to guess what the original root of the word "mathematics" is. Let them offer all kinds of suggestions, and write them on the board. Then share with them that the word comes from the ancient Greek verb manthanein, which simply means "learn." At its root, mathematics is a system for learning.

Of course we think that mathematical learning mostly involves numbers, but it also involves many words, spoken and written. Numbers and words work together to help us learn.

This chapter shows students many ways that writing can help them learn mathematics.

Also direct students to the "Mathematics" section of the Almanac (pages 568–574).

Think About It

“Math is sometimes called the science of patterns.”

—Ronald Graham

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.10

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.C

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.E

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.F

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.910.RI.1.1

LAFS.910.RI.1.2

LAFS.910.W.3.7

LAFS.910.W.3.8

LAFS.910.W.3.9

LAFS.910.RI.4.10

LAFS.910.RI.1.3

LAFS.910.RI.2.5

LAFS.910.RI.2.6

LAFS.910.RI.3.7

LAFS.910.W.1.2

LAFS.910.W.2.4

LAFS.910.W.2.5

LAFS.910.W.2.6

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.36.c.4.F

110.36.c.5.C

110.36.c.7.D

110.36.c.7.E

110.37.c.4.F

110.37.c.5.C

110.37.c.7.D

110.37.c.7.E

110.36.c.5.D

110.36.c.7.D.i

110.36.c.7.E.i

110.36.c.4.G

110.37.c.5.D

110.37.c.7.D.i

110.37.c.7.E.i

110.37.c.4.G

110.36.c.11

110.37.c.11

110.36.c.11.E

110.36.c.11.F

110.36.c.11.G

110.37.c.11.E

110.37.c.11.F

110.37.c.11.G

110.36.c.3

110.36.c.4

110.37.c.3

110.37.c.4

110.36.c.9

110.36.c.10

110.37.c.9

110.37.c.10

110.36.c.8.B

110.37.c.8.B

110.36.c.8.A

110.36.c.9.A

110.37.c.8.A

110.37.c.9.A

110.36.c.10.B

110.36.c.10.C

110.36.c.9.B.ii

110.37.c.10.C

110.37.c.9.B.ii

110.36.c.5.H

110.37.c.5.H

110.37.c.10.B

110.36.c.9.B.i

110.37.c.9.B.i

110.36.c.9.C

110.36.c.9.D

110.37.c.9.C

110.37.c.9.D

110.36.c.9.E

110.37.c.9.E

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 314 from Write Ahead

Taking Notes in Math

To help students understand best practices for taking notes in math, lead them through the tips at the top of this page. As you do, use the sample math notes at the bottom to point out the features you are describing.

Then tell students you expect them to use these practices as they take notes for today's lesson. At the end of the class period, quickly check students' notes to make sure they understand the strategies and are using them to learn in your class.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
Form:
Note
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 315 from Write Ahead

Keeping a Math Log

Present the material on this page when you are ready for students to start math logs. Help them understand that math logs are like personal journals for math class.

Guide students through the tips at the top of the page. Then have a volunteer read through the sample math log entry at the bottom of the page. Lead a discussion of the sample entry:

  • How is this entry different from the math notes on page 314? (The log reflects afterward instead of being created during instruction; the log is written in sentences and paragraphs; the log wrestles with questions and ideas.)
  • How does the writer wrestle with the question? (By applying the idea to class, by experimenting with numbers, by using logic to think through the idea)

Afterward, assign students to set up their own math logs. Then leave five minutes at the end of class for students to write reflections on what they learned in class. Do not grade your students' writing except by giving a participation point for each entry (a paragraph or more).

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
Form:
Learning Log
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 316 from Write Ahead

Summarizing a Math Article

Ask students to study the graph at the top of the sample math article, and then lead a discussion about it.

  • What does this graph show? (The rising cost of public and private colleges from 1970 to 2020)
  • How much more per year does public college cost in 2020 than in 1970? ($15,000)
  • How much more per year does private college cost in 2020 than in 1970? ($33,000)
  • Which line trends more steeply upward over time? (Private college)

Afterward, have a volunteer read the sample article (but not the summary). Lead a discussion:

  • What is the main point of the article? (College costs have nearly tripled from 1970 to 2020.)
  • What are some key details to support this point?
  • How does the writer credit the original article? (By giving the author and title in the first sentence)

Afterward, read the sample student summary. Compare the answers in the sample with the answers students gave to your questions.

Related Minilesson:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
Form:
Summary
English Language Arts:
ReadingWriting

Page 317 from Write Ahead

Writing Guidelines

Have students find their own math articles in your textbook or online. Then help them closely read their articles using the SQ3R approach.

Afterward, lead them through the tips for creating strong beginning, middle, and ending parts for their summaries.

Download and distribute the Math Summary Revising and Editing Checklist to help students improve their work.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
Form:
Summary
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingWritingRevisingEditing

Page 318 from Write Ahead

Graphing Math Data

Graphs make information visible, showing complex relationships that are difficult to capture using words in sentences.

Use the side notes on this page to help students understand the different uses of each type of graph. Then point out that each shows different mathematical data associated with a single choir trip. Discuss why the different types of graphs work well for different types of data.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory Writing
English Language Arts:
ReadingVisual Literacy

Page 319 from Write Ahead

Writing Guidelines

Use this page to help students learn how to design spreadsheets, which can then output all sorts of different graphics to demonstrate information. Have them search for a set of numbers that interests them, such as the key stats of their favorite baseball players, or numerous monetary statistics for blockbuster movies, or the vital statistics of various friends. Then have students use the tips on this page to create their spreadsheets on computers. Afterward, have them output their spreadsheet data in at least two different kinds of graphs.

Have students pick their favorite of the two graphs to revise and edit. Download and distribute the Graph Revising and Editing Checklist to help students improve their graphs.

Then have students share their graphic information on paper or screen in front of the class.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingWritingRevisingEditing

Page 320 from Write Ahead

Responding to a Math Prompt

This page demonstrates how to use open-ended math prompts. Instead of a word problem with one correct answer, an open-ended prompt requires students to apply their math knowledge in many different ways, thus deepening their thinking.

Have students cover the sample response with their hands. Then read aloud the open-ended prompt. Ask students to offer answers aloud. Encourage them to recognize there are many "right" answers to this prompt. The point is for them to explore the answers.

Afterward, have students uncover the sample response and read through it. Discuss which of their responses were similar to and different from the student response.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
Form:
Response to Prompt
English Language Arts:
ReadingWritingCritical Thinking

Page 321 from Write Ahead

Writing Guidelines

Before students respond to an open-ended prompt that you provide, guide them through the tips on this page. Help them understand how to analyze the prompt and jot a quick plan for their response.

Then lead students through the tips for creating an effective beginning, middle, and ending.

Finally, provide students the Math Prompt Revising and Editing Checklist to use as they improve their responses.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
Form:
Response to Prompt
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewritingWritingRevisingEditing

Page 322 from Write Ahead

Creating Math Flowcharts

Flowcharts help students develop computational thinking and systems analysis skills. Flowcharts work well to document any process and so provide a low-tech introduction to computer programming.

Teach your students the basic flowchart shapes on the left and what they signify. Then lead them through the sample flowchart on the right, which shows the process for factoring a quadratic trinomial. Note the start and end points, the steps along the way, the decision points, and the flow of arrows. Model this process with the sample quadratic trinomial on the right.

Then have students select a mathematical process that they could represent in a flowchart. Have them develop their own flowcharts, experimenting with the parts and layout. Ask them to share their flowcharts with a partner, seeking input to improve their work. Afterward, have students revise their flowcharts and present them to the whole class.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Explanatory WritingResearch Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing