If the thought of adding writing to your math lessons makes you eyes roll and you sigh like a teenager, you're not alone. Most math teachers already juggle too much. Who has time for essays on top of all that?
Writing in math doesn't have to be time-consuming, complicated, or disruptive. In fact, when done strategically, it can save time by revealing what students really understand (and what they don't).
Today, I'm sharing five simple ways to weave writing into your math classroom - without cutting into instruction time or grading your life away.
"I don't have time for writing in math!"
You've got a bell to bell schedule packed with content. Your students need to master linear equations, systems, and factoring before the end of the year. The idea of spending 20 minutes on journaling sounds...awful? impossible? ridiculous?
Writing in math doesn't mean assigning essays or multi-page reflections. It should be quick, targeted, and SHORT.
The goal isn't to create more work for your or your students. It's to make thinking visible. When students can explain why something works, they're much more likely to remember how it works on test day.
5 Easy Ways to Add Writing in Algebra and Geometry Without Losing Time
1. Warm-up Quick Writes
3 minutes at the start of class. You're likely already doing it. Instead of a traditional bell ringer or warm up with a computation problem, try a quick write prompt:
- Explain why slope and rate of change mean the same thing.
- What happens to the graph when 'm' in y = mx + b is negative?
- Describe a real-life example of a linear relationship.
Students write a few sentences in their journals or on scratch paper. You can skim them in under a minute. Even better? Have students swap and discuss their answers.
These warmups reinforce key concepts while activating prior knowledge.
2. Mid-Lesson Think Aloud
When working through a new concept, pause for a minute or two and ask students to write their thought process:
- How did you decide what to do first in this equation?
- Why is it important to isolate the variable?
This short reflection helps students internalize problem-solving strategies. You can use it as a formative check without collecting a single paper. If you use printed guided notes, the margins are a great place for this. Even if you didn't plan ahead, you can have students jot their answers in the margin before moving on.
3. Exit Tickets with a Twist
End class with a one-sentence written reflection instead of a computation question. Some ideas:
- Today I learned that...
- I'm still confused about...
- One mistake I'll avoid next time is...
These take less than five minutes, but give you insight into student thinking.
4. Partner Writing Prompts
Collaborative writing doesn't have to be complicated. Pair students up and give them a prompt like:
- Explain how you'd teach a 6th grader to solve a two-step equation.
Each student writes half the explanation, then they swap papers and finish each other's thoughts. It's quick, social, and reinforces communication skills.
5. Weekly Math Journals
Choose one day a week for a slightly deeper reflection. This could be a concept summary, mistake analysis, or problem explanation. For example:
- Reflect on your understanding of solving systems of equations. Which method do you prefer and why?
You can rotate journal review. Have students share their answers so you're not stuck grading a massive pile of them.
When I first journaling in my Algebra 1 classes, I started with just a "Quick Write Friday". It was like pulling teeth at first, but within a few weeks, students were much more willing to write and share their responses. It was quickly evident that writing wasn't stealing instruction time, it was deepening understanding.
If you're ready to try writing in math, but don't want to spend hours creating prompts to align with your curriculum, grab this FREE Math Critical Thinking Writing in Math Prompts resource. It's perfect for quick writes, exit tickets, or bell ringers.
Once you've seen how effective short prompts can be, you'll love the Writing in Math Journal Prompts Bundle for Algebra and Geometry - a year-long set of ready to use prompts that make writing in math effortless.
Writing in Algebra and Geometry doesn't have to feel like another stack of tests to grade. With quick, purposeful strategies, it can become a natural part of your class routine, and a powerful way to boost understanding.
When students start exploring math concepts in their own words, you'll notice fewer blank stares and more confident problem-solvers.
Try one of these strategies tomorrow - you might be surprised how quickly your students rise to the challenge!
