Journal Article Summary

A fifth grade teacher started her math class by posing a problem solving question to her classroom. In order to solve this word problem, students had to think about different amounts of items they needed in order to decorate a town square that was a certain size. After the students read the problem and felt a bit confused, the teacher allowed the students to get into groups to work together. By letting the students work together in groups it eased a bit of their anxiety. In this group, the children were able to reason different ways to solve the problem through the communication of their ideas. When students express their ideas through communication, both written and spoken, children gain a deeper understanding of the subject and concepts that they are learning. Literature can be used in the classroom and can benefit application to real-world expreinces for students. Communication in the classroom can build realtionships among students which will allow them to feel safe to express their ideas and thoughts. When students express their thoughts it opens up more learning opportunities for everyone else.

I really liked the probelm solving method that the teacher posed in her classroom. By allowing students to get into groups and work together through communication, they were able to find different methods for solving the problem. After the students discussed methods, they were able to write the best method down in their writing journal. Through communication the students were able to speak and listen about different ways that the problem could be done---this shows how students benefit from communicating with others about a specific concept. The teacher then took every groups 'best' way to solve the problem and wrote them on the board. The students were then able to see other methods and how they could revise their own method. By revising and editing previous methods, students are learning how to enhance their thinking and communication skills. I also really liked the 'phone a friend' concept because it really teachest students both the skills of listening and speaking. The student asking the question to a friend gets the opportunity to speak and listen to another person's thoughts. The person who explains his/her thoughts is getting to verbalize their method which in turn will benefit their communication skill as well. Overall, I think that it is important that we create safe environments in our classroom where students feel comfortable to discuss and express their ideas and thinking processes. By doing this, students will gain a deeper understanding for mathematic thinking and learning.

Fello, S. E. and Paquette, K. R. (2009). Talking and writing in the classroom. Mathematics
Teaching in the Middle School 14(7), 410-414.