1. TOP 10 BENEFITS OF WRITING IN MATH
1. In the process of writing, students clarify their own understanding of
mathematics and engage their communication skills.
2. Competency in writing can only be accomplished through active practice; solving
mathematics problems is a natural vehicle for increasing students' writing
competence.
3. Asking students to write about their problem-solving experiences or to
articulate and defend their views about mathematics-related issues provides
opportunities to clarify their thinking and develop communications skills.
4. Integrating literacy activities into mathematics classes helps clarify concepts
and can make mathematics more meaningful and interesting.
5. Specific attention to vocabulary is often necessary to enable comprehension of
mathematics texts.
6. Student writing can also provide valuable insight into a student’s level of
mastery of math concepts. Teachers can use writing assignments as either an
informal or formal assessment tool.
7. Writing often reveals gaps in learning and misconceptions, which can help inform
instructional planning and intervention strategy.
8. Writing activities in math class can be used to diagnose learning difficulties,
assess student mastery of concepts, and to enable students to express their
thoughts and feelings about math in reflective or creative ways.
9. Writing provides an interesting and varied instructional activity for students.
This is a form of differentiated instruction.
10. Writing encourages students to reflect on and explore their reasoning and to
extend their thinking and understanding.
-M. Winfield