Writing About Math

In order to think deeply about math, and in order to better prepare students for the IAR in March, students will be participating in a weekly “Extended Response” problem.  These problems are usually multiple-step word problems that the students have to solve, and then respond in writing for what they did to solve the problem, and why they did those particular steps.

We are using the WISE rubric for extended response grading.  The WISE rubric looks at four categories:
*Write the Steps –  Did the student understand what the problem was asking them to do?

*Illustrate – Did the student include a chart, graph, or some other visual model to help them explain their work?

*Solve – Did the student use an appropriate strategy for solving the problem?  Is the solution correct?

*Explain – Did the student explain everything they did to solve the problem?  Did the student explain why they needed to do those steps?  Did the student use mathematical language in their explanation?

Students will be grading their own work upon finishing the extended response.  I will also grade the work on the rubric as well as offer suggestions for improvement.

A picture of the rubric is included below for your reference.

Click here for a downloadable file of our WISE Rubric: WISE Extended Response Rubric