Mathematics: Journaling

Eduardo L. Gaspar

Writing to Learn Strategy

 ● This notebook can be used
exclusively for discoveries, or it
can be used to include reflections
from reading or class discussions.

Purpose of ● It is more than a collection of

observations, facts learned, and

Journaling procedures conducted. The

notebook also documents student
reflections, questions, predictions,
and conclusions.
 ● Teacher explains prompt and
provides 10-5 minutes to journal

Guidelines down thoughts and 2 minutes of

sharing

While ● Read the problem out loud

● Highlight words that you don’t
Journaling understand,
● Make note of ideas that connect
back to previous lessons
● Identify and write what the
question is asking to do
● Write down facts that you
learned, reflections from
classroom discussion or
readings
 Recording your Predictions

Prompt Questions:

● Q: If you know how long the ball was in the air, then…

Answer:

You can determine exactly the ball's height above the ground.

● Q: If you know the ball's height above the ground,

then...

Answer:

You can't determine exactly how long the ball was in the air, but
you can narrow the choices down to two possible amounts of
elapsed time. You have no way of knowing whether the ball was
going up or going down at that moment.
 What is a function?
Applying it to previous example:
Definition:
Q: Would you consider the ball’s height above the ground as a
function of the time elapsed since the ball was thrown?
A function is a relationship where, given the
Yes, This is because if we know the time elapsed since the ball was value of one quantity, the value of the second
thrown then we can exactly determine the ball’s height above the quantity is always exactly determined.
ground. (In other words, any amount of time elapsed links with only However, the “direction” we describe the
one possible height above the ground.)
relationship matters because, as seen in the
Q: Would consider the elapsed time since the ball was thrown as ball-tossing example, the ability to determine
function of the ball's height above the ground? the value of one quantity given the value of the
other quantity depends on which quantity we
No, This is because if we know the ball’s height above the ground
are talking about.
we cannot say for sure how much time has passed. For example, if
we see the following image we don’t know if the ball is on its way up
or down, and therefore we don’t know which time elapsed to
Thinking About What You Learned

● What are two questions you would like

answered during today’s lesson?
● What is one thing that is still puzzling you?
● Can you provide an example of a
relationship that is a function? Can you
provide an example of a relationship that
is NOT a function?
Strategy Used:
Why Utilize Journaling in Mathematics?
Mathematics is not well known for jotting down and sharing ideas. As student investigate concepts, reflect,
and develop questions; their mathematical thinking, writing, and communication will be stabilize over time
as they are provide opportunities to journal and share their mathematical thinking. Not only can students
use this journal as a resource to review information, but it also provides feedback about the students
investigation skills. I understand that the provide material maybe a bit heavy for students, but students can
eventually build up the expectation, this can provide time to facilitate and differentiate appropriately.