To some, journaling is a tool that allows you to assess understanding after you have taught a concept. But it’s far more than a simple reflection at the end of a lesson.
How you use maths journals in your classroom will depend on the needs of your learners. You can use them daily during lessons, ask learners to write entries at the end of the lesson, or use them for particular lessons. There is no ‘right’ way to use journaling in your class; you will find what suits you.
Before you decide when to use journaling, or what journal to use, here are a few tips to help make them more effective:
- Plan them into your lesson
- Leave adequate time
- Regularly use the different types of journaling tasks
- Check them around once a week
- There’s no need for formal marking
- Remember, they should not be perfect
- You’re not aiming to find the ‘right’ answer
In journals, children can record their responses in different ways. They can use pictures, diagrams, and writing. Expressing themselves like this develops their mathematical language and helps them verbalise their thinking. They can start to make deep connections between areas of learning.