Math Journals

Teaching 4th grade in Nevada means teaching the dreaded constructed response math questions for our state test.  One thing that I have been trying in my class that has been very successful is the making a MESS model for problem solving.

As you can see from the anchor chart the MESS acronym stands for:

M - Model

E - Equation

S- Solution

S- Sentence

The students learn to use the acronym to help them set up a written response to a math problem so that they not only know where to start, but also all of the parts to include.  It is really easy to remember and they LOVE the idea of being encouraged to "Make a Mess".

I started my students off with the anchor chart above, then gave them my math journals which are set up using this method, and include 4 math prompts for each standard.  I print out the ones that my students need to work on most and place them in a folder for math journal time.

This student started to divide the given numbers (963/10) but then raised her hand and asked if she could round first.  I told her, "Try it!" 

The students become better and better at writing responses as we share methods and responses throughout the year.  Towards the end of the year in preparation for testing, I start giving them prompts without the model to guide them.  After working with the MESS model all year, they know what to do, and are better prepared. I really emphasize perseverance and trying things out before raising their hands to ask for help.  I compare it to a video game.  I say, "If you don't pass a level on a video game, you don't call me up and ask for help, you try something different, you persevere until you figure it out.  That is exactly what mathematicians do!"

Here are a few links with sample constructed response questions

http://tn.gov/education/assessment/ConstructedResponseAssessment.shtml

http://www.sandi.net/cms/lib/CA01001235/Centricity/Domain/217/Math%20Documents/Archives%20K-5/Grade%204%20Modules%201-10%20Response%20Guides.pdf

http://www.opi.mt.gov/PDF/Assessment/CRT/RI/07/07Gr3MathCR.pdf

I also have a Pinterest Board where I pin Math Journal Ideas.

I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday.  Head over there for some other amazing ideas, or to share something you have tried recently!

Problem Solving - FREEBIE

At the beginning of the year we talked about why we wanted to be better mathematicians.  The final conclusion of our discussion was that we needed to be able to solve problems.  To help us become better problem solvers, we solve LOTS of problems!  We use our math journals four times a day, and weekly solve a problem as a whole group.  Here is a glimpse at some of our problem solving:

At the beginning of each unit, I print out several problems from my math journals (available here on TpT) that fit with that unit.  I then put them into folders and gave a folder to each student.

 

The students then work on solving them as part of their independent work.  Occasionally we will go over them whole group if they are having problems or if I see interesting approaches to problem solving that I want to share.

This week we worked on the following problem because we are working on rounding and estimating:

 

We read the problem out loud, and then worked together to solve it.

 

Yes, they are wearing pajamas - it was spirit week at our school for our high school Homecoming celebration.  Our town is small and has only one high school, so the whole community really gets behind it which is fun!  Most of the businesses in town are decorated in honor of it:

 

(And now back to our regularly scheduled programming about problem solving! LOL!)

Here are a few samples of answers from my kiddos:

 

In our state, 4th graders start answering constructed response questions on the state tests for math, so I want them to be prepared!

 

This problem was not from my Math Journals, but I prettied it up and made it available as a freebie in my TPT store.

 

 

 

  You can download it here.

 

 

Happy Problem Solving!