Setting Up Math Problem-Solving Notebooks

 

We do math problem solving in my kindergarten class everyday! I will probably write a lot about it this year, so stay tuned! So I thought I would start off showing how I set up my Problem-Solving Notebooks (some people call them math journals). I use a notebook so I can keep all of the kids' problem-solving together in one place. I find that when I use loose papers, they just end up stuffed in backpacks and crumpled on the bottom of backpacks. Besides, It's amazing to look through them and see the kids' growth over the course of a year!

So how, you ask, do parents know what we're doing in math? I send the journals home once or twice a quarter so parents can flip through them. I constantly communicate with my parents through e-mails, my classroom blog and even Twitter to let them know what we're doing and how they can reinforce what we're learning at home. And I use the journals during conferences to show parents evidence of how their child is performing in math.

So, where to start...

1. Choose your notebook. It's really up to your own personal preferences (and what's on your school supply list!) I prefer marble composition books, because those things can take a beating and never fall apart! Pages are sewn in, so they don't fall out. The cover is nice and sturdy. There are plenty of pages. (I do wish they came in a regular 8 1/2 x 11" size).

You can also use spirals, but I hate how the metal spiral parts can get all pulled out of shape and/or twisted together...and they're dangerous (ouch!) The covers rip and pages tear out easily.

You could also use blank copy paper in a 3-brad folder.

2. Label the notebooks. We use composition notebooks for everything in my room--science notebooks, writing journals, reading workshop notebooks--so I have to make each one unique somehow. This year, I was able to get different colors of notebooks at Walmart, 4/$1.00 (What a deal!). I use mailing labels to put the kids' names on their journals. I print out a full sheet for each kid at the beginning of the year and then pull one off anytime I need to label something with their name. Super easy! If you want this label, you can download the PDF here:

 

Download Math Journal Labels

 

 

 

3. Put helpful information inside the front cover. I put a page that has numbers 1 through 20 (because although most kindergartners can count at the beginning of the year, many need a visual reminder of how to write the actual numbers). You can download this PDF here:

 

 

Download Math Journal Reference

4. Glue in the Problem-Solving Notebook Expectations. I actually do this as a whole lesson with the kids. We go over each expectation. We learn how to find the next blank page (so the kids won't flip to the middle of their notebook to do a problem). We learn how to use the glue properly (both glue stick and bottle) to glue problems and activities in our notebooks. I continue to revisit these expectations throughout the year. You can download this PDF here:

Download Math Journal Expectations

5. Now you're all ready. Please remember that the first few days weeks of problem solving might be a little ugly. Despite your best efforts, kids will still glue their pages together. They will still flip to the middle of the notebook to do a problem. Their drawing/fine-motor/writing skills are still developing, so the journals will be messy (messy...messy!) And I promise you at least a couple of kids will flip their journals completely upside down and start in the back--happens every year! But everyday, it gets a little better. You'll be amazed at how different their notebooks look in a month or two. Don't give up!

OK...off to check the next thing off my list! Bye!

Comments

[LoniG]

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing. You have inspired me to do the notebook!

[MSims]

Where do you get the problems from?

[Belinda Carinci]

I'm wondering how you print your labels. Is there a special size/type you use? Or do you use shipping labels and do just 4 at a time?

I love all you ideas about notebooks and I too love David and can't wait to use your puppet.

Thanks for sharing! You're amazing!

[Stephanie Green]

I too am curious as to how you print the labels.
Your blog is awesome! I posted a link to it from my teacher blog...love the cute labels and all of the great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[Kathryn]

Hi guys...I do print on mailing labels-- 1 x 2.63". I am going to do a quick post soon on how to do it...it's super easy.

[Kathy D]

Love, love, love what you are doing in math! Your warm ups are great and I love the mathematician's chair.

[Stacy Taylor]

I am so HAPPY I found your website! I too teach kindergarten and love finding new and exciting ideas. The ideas and information you have provided is EXCELLENT! Have you published any books yet? I am so THANKFUL for teachers like you who share, share, and share your wonderful strategies and techniques! You sound like quite an AMAZING and DEDICATED teacher! Lucky to have you! Thank you!

[Sarah]

Hi! I love your labels and your page. Could you possible save them not in a PDF so that I could add more labels to a page.

Thanks

[Evelyn]

I am so happy I found this website. I have been teaching Kindergarten for 23 years. I use the David books to discuss the rules. I love the puppet can't wait to use it. I also use math notebooks but love the idea of the labels. Thanks

[Missy Windom]

What clip art did you use for the math book labels? I would like to find that clip art to use for some other labels.

[Carmen]

I am starting my class on math journaling. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.

[HeidiBrown]

I am taking a class on Problem Solving and my instructor showed us your site. Thanks so much for all of your ideas and for sharing them!

[Kaylee's Education Studio]

Love the cute labels.

[Ana]

Thanks for the great ideas!

[Nicole]

Thanks for sharing your cute idea, I am putting together math journals for my kindergarten class over the summer and it was really helpful to see your ideas!

[Remi Kojo]

Wow! I'll say you are a Guru in the kindergarten education fields This will be my first yr teaching kindergarten and I have all these fears. Thankfully your website has been helping me allay those fears. If permitted ill like to use some of your strategies. Thanks a million for your time and effort in putting thee wonderful ideas together and for sharing. hope I have your permission infusing your strategies in my new classroom . Remi

[Remi]

Oops! Some spelling mistakes Please pardon my eagerness to post without checking my writing.

[Lee]

I teach first grade and this is very helpful to me also. I been wanting to do consistant math journal, but had trouble with procedures. Thanks

[Cindy Pierce]

Could you give an example of the types of problems you use? Do students work in pairs, or individually?

[Christine]

I am new to teaching kindergarten. Your site has been most helpful. I too want to know where you get your ideas for problem solving for the journal. There are no problem solving problems in our math books!

[Joanne R. Jackson]

Hello,
I am a kindergarten teacher also. I think the imagery that is shown is so cool to present to my students. I thank you for sharing your ideas that benefit many of us to make our life easier in the classroom. Knowledge is power as the quote says.

[Leigh Reed]

Thank you for sharing your ideas. I can't wait to incorporate your math journal ideas into my math journals!

[Christie]

Hi!

I just purchased your first nine weeks of the math journals and then saw the entire set. I ended up purchasing the entire set but I'm wondering if I could get a refund on the initial purchase (of just the first nine weeks)?

Thanks for your consideration and this and great stuff!