Writing About Mathematical Thinking Through Problem Solving Reflection

Grade 8 · Math · 45 minutes

Objective

Students will analyze their problem-solving strategies by writing reflective journal entries about their mathematical thinking process.

Materials

• notebooks or paper
• pencils
• calculators
• whiteboard
• timer

Hook

Students spend three minutes in complete silence writing about a time when they struggled with a difficult math problem and how they eventually understood it. They reflect on what emotions they felt during that experience.

Main Activity

Students work individually on a multi-step algebraic word problem involving linear equations, but focus equally on documenting their thinking process in writing. After attempting the problem for fifteen minutes, they write a detailed journal entry describing their approach, any confusion they experienced, and strategies they used. Students then quietly read their journal entries and identify patterns in their problem-solving methods. Finally, they solve a second similar problem while consciously applying the successful strategies they identified in their reflection.

Discussion Questions

1. What emotions did you notice when you first read the problem and felt uncertain?
2. How did writing about your thinking change the way you approached the second problem?
3. What problem-solving strategies do you rely on most often in mathematics?
4. When you get stuck, what internal dialogue happens in your mind?
5. How might understanding your thinking patterns help you become a stronger mathematician?

Exit Ticket

Write two sentences describing one specific thinking strategy you used today that you want to remember for future math problems.

Differentiation

Support: Provide sentence starters for journal writing such as 'First I tried…' or 'When I felt confused, I…' to help students organize their reflective thoughts.

Extension: Have advanced students analyze their journal entries to identify which problem-solving strategies work best for different types of mathematical situations, then create a personal problem-solving guide.