Math Journals for Kindergarten
Math journals are a great way to help kindergarten students develop problem-solving skills, explain their thinking, and represent mathematical ideas through drawings and writing.
Getting Started with Math Journals
When first introducing math journals, the teacher should model the process several times by completing journal entries with the class.
Begin by asking:
- “What do we need to find out?”
- “How do we figure it out?”
Have several children repeat or retell the question to make sure they understand the problem.
Then work together to solve it, usually by drawing pictures or other representations.
Materials and Journal Setup
Use spiral-bound notebooks for students to record or draw their answers to math problems.
A spiral-bound notebook can be cut in half using an appropriate cutting tool to create smaller math journals.
Math journals can be incorporated into different parts of the school day:
- Regular math instruction
- Morning message activities
- Question of the Day when students enter the classroom
Using Math Journals in the Classroom
Begin with simple questions and gradually increase the difficulty as students develop their problem-solving skills.
Allow children to discuss the problems with classmates if they wish.
The goal is to encourage students to demonstrate their thinking processes rather than simply record correct answers.
After completing a journal entry, students can:
- Share their work with a partner or “math buddy.”
- Explain how they solved the problem.
- Listen to their partner’s explanation.
- Participate in a class discussion as one or two students share their entries with everyone.
Remember to praise students for their mathematical thinking, creative approaches, and efforts to explain their reasoning.
Kindergarten Math Journal Prompts
The following math journal ideas were shared by Libby and Terry (Calico Cookie) from Kinderkorner.
Shapes and Geometry
- Draw some shapes.
- Draw a triangle.
- Draw the shapes you see in this picture.
- Draw a pattern.
- Draw a picture with a triangle in it.
- Draw a picture using only triangles or squares.
- Draw a page of diagonal lines using different colors.
Position and Spatial Relationships
- The sun is above the house. Draw a triangle above a square.
- The girl is next to the cat. Draw a circle next to a triangle.
- Draw yourself standing next to a door. Make sure your head is positioned where it would really be in relation to the doorknob.
Counting and Number Sense
- You have two pieces of candy. Draw them. What color are they?
- You have two pieces of candy. Draw them using two different colors.
- You have three pieces of candy. Draw them using only two colors.
- How many legs are there on two horses? Draw your answer.
- Fill in the missing number when counting by twos.
- Trace your hand. How many fingers do you have? Write that number.
- Trace both hands. How many fingers are on both hands?
- Practice writing your phone number. Write a friend’s phone number.
Addition and Subtraction Story Problems
- Ducks in a Pond: There were two ducks in the pond, but one went home to eat. How many ducks were left? Draw your answer.
- Animals in a Wagon: Draw a wagon. Put two dogs and three people in the wagon.
Answer these questions:
- How many heads are there?
- How many legs are there?
- How do you know?
Sorting, Classifying, and Counting
- Draw everything in your school box. How many things are in there? How many of each thing are there?
Fractions and Sharing
- Sharing a Cookie: I have a chocolate chip cookie, and I want to share it with my friend. Draw a picture showing how I can share my cookie.
Measurement, Estimation, and Data Collection
- How many legs are in the classroom?
- How many white shirts are being worn today? Make a graph.
Encouraging Mathematical Thinking
Math journals give children opportunities to explore problems in their own ways.
Encourage students to draw pictures, use shapes, write numbers, and explain their answers.
As students become more comfortable using their journals, introduce increasingly challenging questions that require them to compare, estimate, count, and solve problems.
The most valuable part of math journaling is seeing how children think and encouraging them to explain their reasoning.
