We've just observed a problem involving making and naming shapes with a focus on communication. Now we'd like you to write about your own classroom practice. Read the following questions and answer one in light of the students and content you teach.

• We observed students drawing and describing shapes that they created; we also observed them sorting shapes, and describing the attributes of specific drawn shapes to their teacher. What do students gain from each type of activity, and how are the learning opportunities different depending on the activity? Make general notes on communication based on your observations.
• How is the experience of doing problems that are structured around communication different for ESL students? How would you use communication to help develop these students' understanding of mathematics?

• Use pen and paper.
• Use a word processor.
• Use the form below.

Your work will be displayed in a printer-friendly format to enable you to print.

Thanks for writing in your journal. Please keep your entries in whatever format you choose -- you will find them useful for reference later.

  Explore communication