Math Journals

We start off math each day with a question or problem to solve in our journals. I read the question, send the kids off to work, and walk around observing, trying to stay out of the way! This is the chance for the kids to really explore their thinking about math, reflect upon what they already know, and try to apply it to new problems. The children are asked to write, draw, and share all strategies they used to solve the problem. We meet on the carpet with our journals and a pencil after everyone has worked for a while. I pick 3 children who chose different ways (if applicable) to share their work. The others are then encouraged to add or change to their journals. The children learn so much from watching and listening to how their peers solve their math problems.