Math Journals Sale-Throwback Thursdays!

This week's Throwback is all about Math Journals! I dug deep into past posts and have a few things to share.

Preparing the Journals

Last year I added duct tape to the spines of my journals, so students can easily grab the correct journal.

Here is what my journals will look like for 2014-2015.

You can grab the Math Journal cover with a few prompts to get you started here.

How do I introduce math journals to my class?
Here is a post from August 21, 2013:
First, I gather the students around "the perimeter" of the carpet. On the fourth day of school, we almost have that down pat! I then explained how this was a big day because they were each going to get their math journal... I waited for the applause. I told them (with much enthusiasm) how their math journal will become precious to them because they will be writing in them ALL. YEAR. LONG! (someone clapped at this point). Then I told them that we had the responsibility of making them the BEST journals of all time (no pressure).
I showed them how to open their book to the "next blank page." I modeled where to glue the math prompt on the paper. We don't want it upside down! We want it at the top! Then I modeled how to write to the prompt.

Don't judge... this was a quick sketch!
By having them at the carpet, I could quickly assess who needed more support. I want them to use their journals correctly, so I leave nothing to chance!

I was pretty pleased with Day One!
I will keep them on the carpet for a few more sessions of "Intro to Math Journals 101." Then we will graduate to our normal routine which is journaling quickly at our desks. In a few weeks these sessions will only take about 10 minutes.
Math Journals Daily Lesson Format Once students are comfortable with the routine, they move to their desks. When it is math journal time, I select a prompt. I usually print the entire month's worth of prompts and keep them paper clipped together. I glance through the prompts and select the one I want them to practice. This usually coincides with a skill that I want them to over-learn.

I read the prompt to them a few times and the students begin to draw. Once I see they have gotten started, I cut these out and place them in the lid of their crayon box. I do not cut the prompts out ahead of time. Each month has at least 25 different prompts, so I do not use every prompt every month. At the end of the month, I only have a few pages to recycle.

This image is a few years old. I used to use spiral notebooks, but the composition books hold up so much better.
Then the students can glue the prompt to the top of their page. I have been asked why I don't print them on labels... ummm.... expensive! I have used this format for a few years now and it works perfectly. After the first few weeks, math journals only take about 5-10 minutes to complete.
I have updated the entire year's worth of Math Journals so they are aligned to the CCSS. If you have previously purchased the prompts, you can get the updated ones at no additional charge. Just go to "My Purchases." These prompts will be on sale until Saturday.

You can also grab my Math Journal FREEBIE here!