Math Notebooks

by Jim McCue
(Boise, Idaho)

Hello Fellow Math Teachers,

I have a survey question for you:

Do you require your students to maintain a math notebook and why?

I have taught 3 years of Algebra at the high school level and have started my first year at the community college level. I have observed a strong correlation between well organized math notebooks and strong math students.

Back in the day, as a student, I just did a math notebook along with most students. Now it appears many students have lost this skill and I believe it impacts a students learning process.

I was surprised when I started teaching four years ago, just how many students did not read their math books or take notes at the high school level.

Thanks for your input!

Jim McCue

Boise, Idaho

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Math Notebooks

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Dec 30, 2009
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Parents Involement with Math Notebooks
by: Jim McCue

Hi Brenda,

You bring up some excellent points about the importance of notebooks for students to their success in learning math.

While I would love for administrators to realize the importance of teaching students study skills and implement the classes needed, I don't see it happening in the near future.

The burden will fall on the classroom math teachers to 'figure' out a way of teaching these valuable skills despite the lack of classroom time due to the demanding math curriculum at every grade level.

I like your idea of getting parents involved with notebooks. Perhaps parents could spot check them to make sure the students stay current with them and offer guidance in maintaining and using them to study.

I have come to the conclusion that they are so important to learning math that I will place the necessary priorities, time and effort to guide students to learning the 'art' of creating, maintaining and using the math notebook as a tool to master math skills.

Perhaps, the importance of math notebooks will become forefront in the national movement to increase students math skills in school.

Thanks for your feedback,
Jim McCue

Dec 30, 2009
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Hooray for Teachers Who See The Need
by: Brenda

Unfortunately it seems that the idea of providing a basic foundation to academic success is far from the concerns of those who don't teach. The use of a well organized notebook could truly assist students in middle school but the time is much too limited for teachers to cover content and study skills.
I don't see the family support through questioning and reviewing notebooks to see what the day offered either.

Dec 30, 2009
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Study Skills Classes
by: Karin

Jim,

You are right on! Grading notebooks is probably essential to success in middle, high or even college classes! I believe in high expectations too!

I think your idea of building that solid foundation through study skills classes is the key to success! If students were taught how to effectively use their text books as a reference or better yet, use their class notes as a reference - that would most likely reduce the frustrations that we often see in Math classes.

These skills would not only reduce frustration and build confidence in Math classes, but it would definitely carry over to stressful situations that occur in every day life!

This definitely has me thinking about how to incorporate these skills into daily lessons! (We need about 3 more hours in the school day, right??)

Thanks for bringing up this topic!

Karin

Dec 30, 2009
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Notebook Skills
by: Jim McCue

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your feedback from the middle school grades. It appears math notebooks are needed at all levels along with study skills. I like your idea of students taking a study skills class. Here at CWI, we offer this class but I am going to offer guidance in creating, maintaining and using a math notebook.

I required a math notebook during my high school teaching worth 10% of a students grade to insure students would take them seriously. Now when I started teaching college this past fall, I did not have the time to focus on teaching notebook skills due to my last minute hiring. However, I did offer students extra credit if they maintained a notebook worth up to an extra 5% added to their overall grade at the end of semester. I'm always intrigued to find what motivates students.

Anyway, after I graded the notebooks, I decided to focus on 'teaching' notebook skills next semester so the notebooks become useful tools to help students review for tests and the big final. I like your idea of keeping the notebooks so they don't 'disappear' and cannot be used as a tool for learning/reviewing.

I agree with you on the limited time math teachers have due to teach critical learning skills due to all of the NCLB mandatory testing now required. The amount of math material required at each level is astounding.

Perhaps, a better way is needed....building a solid foundation for students would pay huge dividends in learning math when they have been taught the proper techniques of learning through a study skills class. Imagine students who have confidence in learning math because they have the 'mental tools' that allow them to succeed !!

I strongly believe that students would enjoy math and want to learn how to use math as a tool in solving real life problems and be excited about the whole process !!

Take care,
Jim

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Dec 30, 2009
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Submitted by: Jim McCue

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Hi Karen, Thanks for your feedback from the middle school grades. It appears math notebooks are needed at all levels along with study skills. I like your idea of students taking a study skills class. Here at CWI, we offer this class but I am going to offer guidance in creating, maintaining and using a math notebook. I required a math notebook during my high school teaching worth 10% of a students grade to insure students would take them seriously. Now when I started teaching college this past fall, I did not have the time to focus on teaching notebook skills due to my last minute hiring. However, I did offer students extra credit if they maintained a notebook worth up to an extra 5% added to their overall grade at the end of semester. I'm always intrigued to find what motivates students. Anyway, after I graded the notebooks, I decided to focus on 'teaching' notebook skills next semester so the notebooks become useful tools to help students review for tests and the big final. I like your idea of keeping the notebooks so they don't 'disappear' and cannot be used as a tool for learning/reviewing. I agree with you on the limited time math teachers have due to teach critical learning skills due to all of the NCLB mandatory testing now required. The amount of math material required at each level is astounding. Perhaps, a better way is needed....building a solid foundation for students would pay huge dividends in learning math when they have been taught the proper techniques of learning through a study skills class. Imagine students who have confidence in learning math because they have the 'mental tools' that allow them to succeed !! I strongly believe that students would enjoy math and want to learn how to use math as a tool in solving real life problems and be excited about the whole process !! Take care, Jim

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Dec 30, 2009
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Algebra Notebooks are Important!
by: Karin

Hi Jim,

I've taught in the Middle School, and I have experienced the same problems with my students and their notebooks! The students who earned higher grades, kept well organized notebooks. My students who struggled, were extremely disorganized and usually could not find their notes or homework.

I've often thought that students need a class on study skills/organization skills. With the demands of curriculum, teachers often do not have the time to teach these very important skills.

In Maryland, students must pass an Algebra High School Assessment in order to graduate. At the end of the year (in Algebra 1), students take the cumulative test. Knowing that many of my students had difficulty keeping an organized notebook, I collected their entire notebook at the end of each unit. I saved it for them until the end of the year. As we started our end of the year review for the assessment, I gave them their notebooks back, with all their work from the year.

I wish that I had the time to "teach" these organizational/study skills. School systems should offer a semester course on Organization and Study Skills in 6th grade in order to prepare students for higher level learning!

Thanks Jim for bringing up this important question!

If anyone has ideas on how to help students with the task of staying organized, and/or taking good notes, we'd love to hear your comments!

All the best,
Karin

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Dec 30, 2009
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Submitted by: Karin

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Hi Jim, I've taught in the Middle School, and I have experienced the same problems with my students and their notebooks! The students who earned higher grades, kept well organized notebooks. My students who struggled, were extremely disorganized and usually could not find their notes or homework. I've often thought that students need a class on study skills/organization skills. With the demands of curriculum, teachers often do not have the time to teach these very important skills. In Maryland, students must pass an Algebra High School Assessment in order to graduate. At the end of the year (in Algebra 1), students take the cumulative test. Knowing that many of my students had difficulty keeping an organized notebook, I collected their entire notebook at the end of each unit. I saved it for them until the end of the year. As we started our end of the year review for the assessment, I gave them their notebooks back, with all their work from the year. I wish that I had the time to "teach" these organizational/study skills. School systems should offer a semester course on Organization and Study Skills in 6th grade in order to prepare students for higher level learning! Thanks Jim for bringing up this important question! If anyone has ideas on how to help students with the task of staying organized, and/or taking good notes, we'd love to hear your comments! All the best, Karin

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