We've just defined the Representation Standard in more detail. Now we'd like you to write about it, in the context of your own classroom. As you make your journal entries, keep the material you've just seen and read in mind as context.

• What are some effective methods of representation that you would like all of your students to be able to use to solve problems and communicate their thinking?
• What are some tasks you have used that elicit the use of multiple representations? What specific things do you do in your classroom to encourage students to use appropriate representations as they complete mathematical tasks?
• Why do you think that representations help students develop a deeper understanding of the mathematical idea(s) they are learning? Even though a representation is not equal to the mathematical idea being represented, how does grappling with representations help students learn 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.

And now, please take a moment to relax, if you haven't already -- or even if you have!

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