Math Interactive Notebooks

[sweetpea3829]

My DS9 (almost 10) is struggling in math and I'm looking for a way to keep him engaged during lessons.  So while researching some potential science options, I happened across math interactive notebooks and am wondering if this might be a good way to help him out.  

 

So have you used Math INBs?  And if so, did you make your own? Use resources from TPT, or ?.  Did you find INBs to be more of a distraction than a help?  This particular kiddo is prone to spacing out during lessons (he's there, but not present, lol).  He's a doodler, though I have not successfully found a way to link his doodling to learning.  He may zone out even more if I give him a notebook during math lessons.  I've had to kabosh doodling on schoolwork because he literally FILLS his work pages with doodles.  But no answers, lol.  

 

We're using Singapore, and he, his brother and sister are all working together in 3B.  They're actually on the Measurements unit and it's glaringly obvious that M keeps forgetting stuff that he already mastered in previous units...such as division, multi-digit multiplication, etc.  To me, it seems as though he's learning his concepts for the lesson, and then it's flying right out that head of his.  Maybe an INB would help with that?  

 

 

If you used a Math INB and did not like it, can you share why?  

 

Thanks so much guys!  

[Earthmerlin]

I have used interactive math notebooks in a classroom setting. They worked well for the direct instruction & guided practice aspect of the lesson. The idea is to take notes on one side and give personal examples (or reflections) on the other side. In other words, in a bifold display you teach the information & have the student apply it immediately to his life somehow. I think this aspect of note-taking and guided practice increases engagement and interest as it's student directed. You can always try it with a couple topics to see if it fits your student's style.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Earthmerlin

[Earthmerlin]

I have used interactive math notebooks in a classroom setting. They worked well for the direct instruction & guided practice aspect of the lesson. The idea is to take notes on one side and give personal examples (or reflections) on the other side. In other words, in a bifold display you teach the information & have the student apply it immediately to his life somehow. I think this aspect of note-taking and guided practice increases engagement and interest as it's student directed. You can always try it with a couple topics to see if it fits your student's style.

Since your kid likes to use his hands, there are lots of notes that require cutting & pasting or assembling of some sort. Alternatively, you can provide guided notes or incorporate his desire to illustrate into the lesson somehow. Math should contain plenty of visuals anyways so funnel his artistic penchant in this way.