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Assessment Tools Project

Assessment Tools Project. Kelly Williamson 2010. Writing Prompts. Description. Journal and writing assignments are often used in math class for any of the following reasons: When new material has been introduced

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Assessment Tools Project

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  1. Assessment Tools Project Kelly Williamson 2010

  2. Writing Prompts

  3. Description • Journal and writing assignments are often used in math class for any of the following reasons: • When new material has been introduced • Ask students to write definitions or explanations of a term that's critical to the day's lesson. • When the class looks disengaged or confused • Ask students to write an explanation of something you were doing or a term you used. Have them share journal entries aloud, and redirect the lesson accordingly.

  4. Description continued • When collaboration with fellow students is appropriate • Have students form small groups and work together to solve a problem on paper. This will get them to talk to each other, ask questions, and give explanations -- all with the common goal of solving the problem. • When teaching the value of revising their work • Occasionally ask students to pick a journal entry and revise it. This helps emphasize that journal writing is an initial effort that can be rethought and improved upon--the end product is less important than the process.

  5. Sample writing prompts can • 1. Pinpoint a confusing or easily misunderstood mathematical idea • 2. Be solved using different strategies • 3. Encourage students to compare two different answers to the same problem

  6. Purpose • Writing prompts should • Present students with a risk-free opportunity to try out mathematical ideas • Provide an opportunity for supportive and encouraging feedback from the teacher • Enlighten and direct instruction • Offer the opportunity for metacognition • Provide teachers with important information needed to make instructional decisions • Offer students the opportunity to express their mathematical backgrounds through creative writing

  7. Strengths • Improves student attitudes about mathematics • Increases student self-esteem as they become comfortable with metacognition • Provides students who are good writers with opportunities to feel successful in math • Provides meaningful feedback from the teacher and classmates • Increases communication between students and teachers • Reinforces and extends students' understanding of the mathematical concepts that are being taught • Improves student mathematical thinking, communication skills, and retention of concepts

  8. Weaknesses • Additional time is needed for the teacher to provide meaningful feedback • Requires additional effort on behalf of the teacher to try a new instructional practice • Training might be needed for the teacher to feel comfortable grading writing prompts • ELL and at-risk students will have writing inadequacies that will need to be addressed • Additional class time will need to be devote to writing in courses with high stakes examinations

  9. Diverse Populations • At-risk and ELL students have low writing proficiency levels, so grouping students and assigning a scribe might be necessary. • ELL students often succeed with verbal explanations rather than written. • Students will need opportunities to explain their writing with visual clues, such as pictures or drawings and contextual relationships provided by the teacher. • Careful scaffolding of both writing and mathematical concepts will need to take place. • Teachers may have to simplify complex tasks for exceptional students. • Students should be offered opportunities to revise their written work before a grade is assigned.

  10. Potential • Writing prompts have the potential to • solidify mathematical concepts • allow the teacher to look more in depth at student performance on a particular task • create a more positive classroom atmosphere and more intimate support from teacher • lessen math anxiety of all students • focus on student strengths and weaknesses more immediately than formal assessments

  11. Examples • Pictorial journals • Personal journal writing • Reflective logs • Creative writing • Translations • Self-assessments • Explanations • Problem design • Definitions • Reports • Instructions • Descriptions • Justifications • “Mathography” or biography • Expository writing

  12. TIPS FOR Managing student journals • 1. Provide students with college ruled journals to stress the importance of writing • 2. Keep journals in class. Allow students to leave their journals each day so they will not lose them. • 3. Allow students to decorate their journals for creative expression purposes. • 4. Decide on a method for identifying entries by date or number so students can focus on writing, not copying the prompt. • 5. Devise a method for collecting and turning in journals each day so class interruption is minimized. • 6. Use a timer for some journal assignments.

  13. TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO WRITE MORE IN MATH • BE PATIENT • REMIND STUDENTS THERE ARE NO WRONG ANSWERS IN WRITING ABOUT THINKING • ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO WRITE FOR THE WHOLE TIME GIVEN, OR COPY WHAT THEY HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN AGAIN IF THEY STOP • ASK STUDENTS TO REVISE CONTINUOUSLY • PROVIDE IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK • CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE PURPOSE OF EACH PROMPT • USE STUDENT WRITING SAMPLES TO GENERATE DISCUSSIONS

  14. CARTOONS ABOUT ASSESSMENT

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  16. SAMPLE STUDENT WRITING PROMPTS CREATIVE WRITING

  17. Sample student work This is a sample cover letter written by a student as an introduction to her portfolio in my Honors Pre-Calculus class. Her writing prompt is below. Write a letter to the reader describing your background as a student and what you plan to include in your portfolio as well as why you chose your particular topic.

  18. Sample student work This sample is a student Mathography from my Standard level Algebra 2 class. The prompt is below. Write a paper about yourself as a math student. Include any of the following: • a) You: Introduce yourself, using the name you like to be called. Describe your hobbies, talents, and interests. State your goals or dreams. What are you proud of? What else would you like to share? • b) You as a Student: State the importance of school in your life. Describe yourself as a student. In what kinds of classroom activities do you excel? What kinds of activities do you find frustrating? Explain which subject(s) is/are your favorites. Tell why you like it (them). • c) You as a Math Student: Describe your most memorable moment in math and explain why you remember it. Describe how you felt about math last year and explain how you feel about math this year.

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