Marianne & Jen's Demo: Kickin' Down the Door: The Math-Writing Connection

Kickin’ Down the Door: The Math-Writing Connection

marianne.desario@7VWP.com; jen.liddy@7VWP.com

The Big Idea

The purpose of this demo is to reverse the mentality that there is a divide between the math and writing processes. As a Math and English teacher duo, we discovered that it’s possible to redefine “writing”, since many of our students struggle to express themselves and explain their thinking on paper in all classes. By becoming aware of how we present writing and metacognitive strategies, teachers can kick open the door between math and writing processes.

Outline:

• Solve: [1 minute] Word Problem: solve the problem silently.

• Write [2 minutes]: Use the Math Log format to internally dialogue how you solved the problem, conveying the thoughts that went through your head as you solved it.
• Solve: [1 minute] Number Problem: list the different ways can you express the number 6.
• Write [2 minutes]: Use the Math Log format to internally dialogue how you solved this problem, conveying the thoughts that went through your head as you solved it.
• Write: [2 minutes]: Compare/contrast your experiences with the two problems. Examine how your experience with the word problem compared to your experience with the number problem?
• Share: [6 minutes]: Popcorn share: What experiences did you have with the math problems that are similar to the experiences our students encounter with writing?
• Write: [3 minutes]: How can we help students see a connection (rather than the usual disconnect) between writing and math? Brainstorm the ways that the writing and math processes are alike.
• Share [6 minutes]: Record ideas and create a chart for all to see overhead.
• Collaborate [10 - 15 minutes]: Work with a small group to create as many concrete ways as possible to help your students redefine writing and buy into the concept that math & writing processes or outcomes are alike in some ways. In other words, how might you use your awareness of the math & writing connection with your students in terms of talking about writing? Record your ideas on large sticky notes. Feel free to illustrate as needed.
• Share & Publish [10 - 12 minutes]: explain your ideas and share your sticky notes on the Math/Writing Connections poster.
• Write [3 minutes]: What is personally or professionally significant about these connections, ideas, or insights?  

The Wrap:

In this demo, we have used a variety of writing strategies. The root of this Demo is to help teachers see the connections between the seemingly dissimilar subject areas of math and writing. However, when teachers redefine their schema of what is “math” and “writing”, they are able to facilitate the students’ awareness and implementation of specific cross-curricular tools to help struggling writers. These tools can also help students in an interdisciplinary way, encouraging students to synthesize, apply tools, and connect transferable thought processes across the curriculum.   

Thank you for your time and willingness to write, share, think, speak, and listen. If you have any questions about this teaching demonstration, the Seven Valleys Writing Project, or just want to talk about teaching, please contact Marianne by email at marianne.desario@7VWP.com or Jen by e-mail at jen.liddy@7VWP.com.