TeachME Professional Development

1. Writing in mathematics is considered beneficial for students because it increases their communication, helps them learn content, develops their problem-solving abilities, and allows them to reason immediately and visually about the correctness of their solution.

A. True B. False

2. All recommended types of and purposes for elementary mathematical writing should ultimately serve to engage students in:

A. Interpretation B. Investigation C. Reasoning D. Innovation

3. Mathematically creative students are able to document original ideas, problems, and/or solutions, elaborate on ideas, and convey:

A. A deeper understanding of mathematical logic B. The importance of critical analysis C. Engagement D. Fluency and flexibility in thinking

4. Exploratory writing is student-initiated where students serve as their own audience, and the writing can take on any form and might include ideas represented in words, pictures, and mathematical symbols and representations.

A. True B. False

5. The purpose of informative/explanatory writing in mathematics is to help students review, analyze, and evaluate others’ mathematical ideas, approaches, or strategies, while also informing others of where they differ in their thoughts and processes.

A. True B. False

6. Which of the following is NOT one of the likely results of writing mathematically to critique an argument?

A. Critiquing an argument helps students clarify ideas, precisely communicate them, and gives them permanence for ongoing analysis B. Students use mathematical writing to reason about and communicate critiques of others’ arguments by reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating others’ mathematical ideas, approaches, or strategies C. Students may provide further evidence to strengthen an argument or counterexamples to disprove a claim D. Writing a critique may help students further their understanding of a mathematical concept by considering ideas other than their own

7. Mathematically creative writing serves to encourage elementary students to think creatively and document their mathematical ideas that extend beyond the expected or intended outcome of a task, situation, or problem.

A. True B. False

8. Elaboration refers to the ability to extend ideas, provide more detailed explanations, and develop ideas:

A. In flexible or multiple ways B. Over an extended period of time C. That will support their mathematical reasoning D. On how to communicate their insights and formulate questions