Math Writing Prompts
Prompt
no.
Affective/Attitudinal
(How do you feel?)
Mathematical
Content
(What is about?)
Process
(Explain how!)
1
Explain how you feel about
The most important part
The difference
mathematics now as compared
of solving a problem
between... and ... is...
to before you took this class.
is...
2
Write instructions for a
fifth grader to follow
when (adding fractions,
finding percentages,
calculating averages,
etc.)
My best kept secret about
math is...
I think a ... is... (I
thought a ... was...)
How would you
describe a ...?
Find something that you
learned today that is
similar to something you
already knew. Write
about these similarities.
3
If math could be a color
(shape, sound), it would
be...because...
4
I want to become better at
math so that I...
5
You know several ways
to.... (solve an equation,
How do you use ... in
factor a quadratic, add
People who are good at math... your life?
fractions, etc.) Which
method is your favorite?
Why?
6
Make a list of objects
My best experience with math or figures in the room
was when...
which have ... How
can you tell?
How important is being
neat and organized to
you in general, and when
you are doing math?
7
My worst experience with
math was when...
When I study for a test,
I...
Do you use tables or
What patterns do you diagrams when solving a
notice in ...
problem? Why or why
not?
Write your own
definition of a ...
8
When it comes to math, I find
Explain how ...
it difficult to...
Write a letter to your
teacher explaining what
you do understand about
the topic, and what needs
to be clarified.
9
When I hear someone say
math is fun, I...
When I read a math
textbook, and see a word
I don't know, I...
Write all you know
about ...
Draw a picture of a
mathematician and describe
what a mathematician does.
How many squares
are there on a chess
The key idea of the
board? Describe your
lesson today was...
strategy for solving
this problem.
11
If I were better at math, I
would...
Describe the
mathematics seen in a When I see a word
photograph.
problem, the first thing I
(Photograph may
do is...Then I...
need to be provided).
12
What kind of math figure are
Write and solve a
What are the benefits of
you? (Circle, square, triangle,
word problem whose journal writing for
parallelogram, etc.) Why did
solution involves ... mathematics classes?
you choose that figure?
13
Describe your feelings about
showing your work on the
board or overhead.
10
How could journal
Find a shortcut for ... writing be changed to be
more effective?
14
Does mathematics or math
class scare you in any way?
Explain the ...
When you get a test
back, do you make
corrections or ask
questions? Why or why
not?
15
My three personal goals for
this term are...
Describe practical
uses for ...
How do you read your
math textbook?
16
Describe how today's math
class will affect your day.
Describe any
Compare and contrast
computational procedure
the terms ...
that you invented.
17
What did you like most about
Explain everything
your previous math class?
you know about ...
What did you like the least?
18
My math grade now is
...because...
Write an explanation
Write possible test
about the differences
questions for this unit.
between ... and ...
19
This is how I feel about
Algebra (Pre-algebra,
Percents, Fractions, etc.)
What is the most
How many
significant thing you
dimensions does a
learned this week?
pencil have? Explain
your answer.
20
One mathematics activity I
really enjoy is...because...
What questions are still
Why can't you divide
unanswered at the end of
by zero?
this week?
How should we use class
time to the best
advantage?
21
This is how I used math this
week (outside of school)...
Explain how you can
How can you find a improve your
number with thirteen communication and
factors?
cooperation in the
mathematics classroom.
Describe any discoveries
you make about
mathematics (patterns,
relationships,
procedures, etc.).
22
Draw a cartoon of the 'Math
Monster' and write what the
'Math Monster' is saying to
you.
23
Write a letter to a student who
will be taking this class next How do you
year, giving some advice
simplify...?
about this class.
Describe the process you
undertook to solve this
problem. (Problem needs
to be provided.)
24
Design two mathematical
bumper stickers, one funny,
one serious.
Write WHO, WHAT,
WHERE, WHEN,
WHY, and HOW across
the top of your page.
Answer these questions
based on today's class.
25
Why is it
My parents feel that math is...
necessary...?
What is a ...? Write
all you can about ...
Why do we need
proofs in
mathematics?
Describe the graph
of...as if you were
explaining it to a friend
over the phone.
Scoring Rubric for Math Journal
A
Response is coherent and well structured. Ideas are
communicated clearly. Math topics clearly
B
Response is coherent and adequately structured.
communicated fairly well.
D
Response is incomplete. Ideas are somehow incoherent and
ambiguous. Ideas are written in fragments.
F
No response or ideas are completely irrelevant and inadequate.
Ideas are