A Math Vocabulary Project for Writing Across the Curriculum

As a high school math teacher I sometimes struggle to meet new state requirements such as "Writing across the curriculum" and other endeavors. In the past I have assigned research papers or have had students write story problems, but these traditional writing processes became mundane. This article shares details of a math vocabulary project that I designed to create more writing across the curriculum in my high school math courses.

Detailed Criteria of the Math Vocabulary Writing Project
This lesson was used at the beginning of a semester. It could also be used at the beginning of a new unit as a preview of terms students will learn. Either way, the structure would be similar.

Math Vocabulary Project
1. Work alone or with one other person. You will both receive the same grade, so choose wisely.
2. Deadline: End of class tomorrow for full credit.
3. Tasks: For each term in the list below do the following:
a) Write the formal definition.
b) Create a visual (ie. a diagram or sketch) that conveys the meaning of the term for a more visual learner.
c) Write a "teaching statement." To do this, rewrite the formal definition in layman's terms. That is, rewrite the formal definition into a sentence or explanation that makes the topic easier for someone who is struggling with the concept.
4. Grading: Graded on completeness, accuracy, and timeliness

The topics that I listed for the Algebra I course included twenty terms that they would be studying over the next semester. I chose difficult sounding concepts that the students would not already be too familiar with. This list would vary, depending upon the course and the teacher. However, some of the terms that I listed were: multiplicity, permutations, geometric series, convergence, and exponential functions.

Student Perceptions of the Math Vocabulary Writing Project
Although students hesitated at first, by the end of the project they had generated some excellent content. They created some prior knowledge to help them make connections when I teach them the math behind the concepts. They also reviewed techniques such as how to use a glossary versus an index, how to read for understanding within text, and how to change a formal definition into layman's terms.

Teacher Reflection of the Math Vocabulary Writing Project
Overall, I found this project to be a success. I modified the project for use in my Algebra I, Algebra II, and Trigonometry courses. I received 100 percent student participation since they could either work alone or with a partner. Students who typically showed fear of math were relieved because they could utilize their writing or artistic abilities to influence their math grade. Little did they know they were learning math terms in the process.

What writing projects have you used in a math course? What do you think of the writing across the curriculum initiative? Please comment below.