Hi there. In this education post, I talk about writing in mathematics.
Writing In Math Is Important
In a previous education post I talk about the importance of spelling in mathematics. It is important to get the spelling right when it comes to something like angel versus angle. Correct spelling is a part of good writing in any subject. In the mathematics setting, good writing includes logic and reasoning skills.
At the younger grades there is a large emphasis on number sense, shapes, calculations and algebra. There is nothing wrong with this as number sense, shapes recognition and arithmetic are foundational skills for kids and adults. What could be emphasized more is writing, logic and reasoning skills for lower grades. At the higher levels of math such as high school and university, there are times when you have use logic and reasoning to support claims and arguments. This is in the proofs part of mathematics and in some thinking questions. If you give young students just math problems on numbers only, they may get an expectation of math being all numbers. This is not true as mathematics also includes word problems, logic, reasoning and reporting on data management results.
One big part of education is to train students for workplaces. There are times where results obtained from statistics, mathematics and software would have to be explained to non-technical audiences. The audience would not be likely be familiar with algebra so the results would have to be explained in a clear simple manner verbally and in writing. The writing aspect of explaining number results would be in the form of a report or presentation slides.
Encouraging Young Students To Write More In Math
This is wishful thinking from me but I do think students should be encouraged and be tested more on writing more in math. Math word problems at around grade three and four is a good starting point. Obtaining answers from word problems is good but it is also important to put a sentence stating that Jack's total number of apples from 7 + 5 is twelve for example. Another example that gets student to write is Why is a rectangle not a square?. The student's answer would have something similar to that a square has all four sides being equal in length while a rectangle does not all four sides being equal in length.
In the Toronto area the education curriculum is set by the government and teachers have to follow them whether they like it or not and whether they know the subject or not. At grades 1 to 8 math in public schools is typically taught by generalist teachers who teach all subjects from English, Science, Grammar, Social Studies, Math, etc. High school grades from grades 9 to 12 are taught by specialists. For grades 1 to 8 there may be exceptions where the teachers are specialists like French. Teachers may or may not add more content and questions that test reasoning skills and require writing. Those that want students to do more writing are good in my eyes as math is much more than numbers, algebra and calculator work.
