This year I implemented math journaling (beginning in October) and I have blogged about this venture before. You can read that here. But today, I want to answer a question I get about math journals.
Let me just say I thoroughly analyze spot check them in two ways. Every few days I when I feel my students may need to know that dear teacher is totally on top of things, I will say today is a “journal day”. This means that students either leave their journals on their desks open to today’s activity, or they must come flash the journal page to me before they can move on to their next activity in our math rotation.
I don’t pour over these journals. They are a prime example of my student’s independent work plain and simple. A record of growth. A record of concepts taught. Some journals are pristine. They are …ahem…a glowing example of my outstanding instruction in all things math…ahem…others are a scary mess of numbers here and there with rips and tears for corrections. Like I said, a perfect example of each student’s independent work.
I am excited to say that the May math journal is finished and posted to Teacherspayteachers! It’s discounted for the first 24 hours.
Here’s a few of the pages prepped in my example journal. I keep a sample journal without answers for my students to refer to. It helps keep the spacial nightmares to a minimum.
Just getting started or want to grab a deal? I bundled my January through May journals!
Ok this last picture was the cutest ever. I was coloring my sample pages (seriously it’s like therapy to me) and my dog Lucy kept nudging closer and closer trying to bring my attention back to her rather than on my fine example of a journal. finally she moved all the way up to the journal and pawed it until I stopped and gave her a stern look and a lot of love pats. Just to thoroughly confuse her and all.
Number Sense Lesson Plans and Materials
Geometry: Shapes, Solids, and Fractions
Math Journals: Getting Started
We Made it to May… Lesson Plans, Moms, and Twitchy Eyes
Kristen Smith says
April 24, 2014 at 12:23 amHahaha! Your dog must have taught Koda these same tricks. However, Koda likes to just climb onto my lap and stare at me (with his nose one centimeter from my face) until I stop to pay attention to him!
Love these journals! I can't wait to get my students started with this new month of activities!
Kristen
Jeanne says
April 24, 2014 at 12:36 amGreat idea to have a "sample journal" to show placement on the page. I like to display YOURS on the board via the projector. Works nicely–thank you! You always have the best colors of paper too!
carriebeez says
April 24, 2014 at 1:16 amSpot checking…great idea! We started journaling this year & I can't figure out an efficient way of going through each one. Thanks for the tip!
Carrie
#Hashtag Fifth
Jenn Snyder says
April 24, 2014 at 1:56 amGood to know that I'm not the only one who just spot checks student work! I have too many students to be thorough enough to leave feedback on EVERY SINGLE JOURNAL! even though my district wants me to … but I digress. At least the work is assessed. Thanks for sharing! I'm hoping to go back to self-contained next year. I know I want to do interactive notebooks for all subjects, but wasn't sure how I would do math. Your notebooks are the perfect inspiration!
Jenn
Take Me to Third Grade
Liz says
April 24, 2014 at 3:21 amI love the idea of using math journals but I can never seem to use them consistently. I'll have to go back and read your previous post on them! Thanks for the great resources and ideas! You are amazing!
Liz
[email protected]
Adrianne Meldrum says
April 24, 2014 at 4:42 amReagan! I just wanted to write you a quick note and tell you thank you for always writing such fun blog posts. I read them all through my email and mean to come say hello and comment…but always get distracted!
I love your math journals and your pup getting in the way–I can totally relate. Keep up the fun posts!
Risë says
April 24, 2014 at 4:50 amI am so excited to use the May journals in class. My first graders love math, but these journals are their favorite math activity. I have started doing math centers, and now we have time to do journals, math tubs, math computer games, and time with the teacher. Thanks to you!! I love your wonderful ideas and fantastic products!
My Carolina Classroom says
April 24, 2014 at 10:59 amI love the concept of a math journal. I may have to implement that next year. Thanks!
Kristin
My Carolina Classroom
Jenneuse says
April 24, 2014 at 11:00 amGlad to see your student's hot messes. Some of mine are incredibly crazy as if they received no instruction. I saved some from last year as exemplars and the crazy kids thought that liquid glue is what made them "thicker".
Darnee L.W. says
April 27, 2014 at 6:37 amI went to an interactive math journal workshop this past summer through my district, given by teachers from another campus. It was the best workshop ever, because they just gave the materials we needed, showed us their journals for placement and ideas, then just let us cut, glue, paste, color as needed, ALL DAY LONG! It wasn't just incessant talking and repeating the same things over and over all day long that I find when we have a journaling PD/workshop. They would stop us every like 2 hrs to show us the next set of activities to cut & paste into our sample journals, but that was it. SO I'm a big believer in journaling, when given the time to actually set up a sample one 🙂
Great post!
Darnee
Tales From Two 2nd Grade Classrooms