Are your students struggling to explain their math reasoning? Are your young mathematicians creating confusing or vague math models?

This Write To Explain How To Guide will walk your students through five steps for creating detailed math model and explanations. Guiding examples and rubrics are provided for each step. This guide is designed for use with any math problem requiring modeling and explanation.

THE WRITE TO EXPLAIN PROCESS

Step 1 : Record the Question

Step 2: Model and Solve

Step 3: Record the Solution

Step 4: Explain Your Thinking

Step 5: Reflect on Your Learning

Consistently using these five steps when solving complex math problems will help your students develop the ability to independently create organized math models and communicate their math reasoning clearly and concisely.

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THREE HOW TO GUIDE FORMATS

Projectable Slides: Display these slides as you teach your students about the five steps for creating detailed math models and explanations.

Printable Binder: Print these slides and store them in a binder to create a step-by-step Write To Explain Guide. As your students work to explain their math reasoning, their printed guide will walk them through each detail of the Write To Explain process as they become confident, independent masters.

**Color and black line master formats included.**

iPad/Tablet Guide: Upload the iPad/Tablet Ready PDF to your library or Google Drive so students can access the step-by-step Write To Explain Guide digitally. Exactly like the printed guide, this digital guide will walk your students through each detail of the Write To Explain process.

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OTHER PRINTABLES INCLUDED

Recording Sheets

Recording sheets for task cards and non task card problems are provided (each type of recording sheet is distinguished by the words “Task Card” or “Problem” in the lower left corner. Both standard and primary lined recording sheets are provided for individual needs.

Student Rubric

Print the Write To Explain Rubric on the back side of each recording sheet so your students can reflect on their learning as they complete each math task. Often times, students will revise their work once they review the rubric so they can award themselves a stronger score.

Teacher Rubric

Meaningful feedback can greatly enhance student learning, growth, and achievement. The teacher rubric is designed to help you give your students timely feedback that is meaningful and specific. It is almost identical to the Student Reflection rubric except for a change in pronouns. This rubric can be used to give formative feedback or as a summative assessment tool.

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If you are looking for a strong collection of rigorous math problems that require models and explanations, check out my Write To Explain Task Card Decks.

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