This product includes 22 unique math journaling prompts for students, focusing on error analysis and problem-solving skills.

Two-Types of Prompts:

• Students analyze the errors in an already solved problem. They will explain what mistakes were made and then show how to correctly solve the problem
• Students read and solve a word problem. They must explain their problem-solving process, as well as justify or defend their final answer.

Skills and Concepts included in the November Math Journal:

• Adding 2-digit numbers
• Adding and subtracting 3 and 4-digit numbers
• Multiplication
• Division
• Arrays
• Comparing numbers
• Estimation
• Rounding to the nearest 10 and nearest 100

Students need to be able to go beyond basic computation skills in math, and develop their conceptual understanding of how math works and why.

By analyzing errors, they are given the opportunity to think deeply about math in different situations, and explain the thinking behind the solution. Claim 1 on the SBAC assessment, which is 50% of the test questions, includes these type of activities. This is a great way to expose your students to SBAC-style questioning and to develop their familiarity and comfort with them.

You can use these prompts in a writing center, as a whole group activity, an early finisher activity, small group math practice...

I’ve grouped the prompts by type, but you can print them and alternate them so your students get exposure to both types of thinking frequently.