IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

Today was our first day using math journals this year, and they were a big hit!

Thus far this year, we have been exploring different math materials. We have been figuring how to use math materials properly, how to put them away appropriately, and how we can use them to solve different math problems. The first week, we learned about unifix cubes, bears, and links.

Last week students learned how to draw pictures to help them solve a problem. They were exposed to a number line during share time. They explored something called a ten frame, which is a tool that helps us understand the number 10 better and all the different ways it can be made.

Olivia, Jace, Ellie, John, and Abel represent different numbers on our life size 10 frame.

Yesterday we all explored a tool called a 20 Bead String together. We each got to make our own, and then today, students had the option of working with their 20 bead string with a partner during morning choices.

During math workshop today, I read a story problem I had written on big paper. A friend decided we should use bears to solve the problem, so Faith came up and solved the problem for us using the bears. Then I talked about “making our thinking and problem solving visible.” I told the students that I wanted to be able to know what their brains were thinking when they solved the problem, so together we drew a picture of our problem solving process on the big paper, right underneath the question.

Then it was the kids turn. I told them that they were going to get to solve their very own math problem by themselves in their very own math journal. This morning, I had cut out and glued a story problem into each child’s math journal.  Together, we read the story problem. After we had read the problem a couple times, I handed each child their journal. They were able to take their journal, pick one of the math materials we have learned how to use, grab a pen/pencil, and then find a “stuck like glue” spot to solve their problem and show their thinking in their math journal.

After students had worked on the problem independently, they put away their materials. Then we listened to Jackson share how he had solved today’s problem with links.

I look forward to more mathematical thinking and problem solving in the future!

*Material request: In addition to solving problems in our math journal, we are going to begin playing math games next week. A material we will need for one of our games is egg cartons. If you have any, could you please send them into school? Thank you!

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