Getting started with
Interactive Math Notebooks
[Link]
Contents
Grade 3- 5
1. Math Notebook Expectations
2. Preparing your Math Notebook
3. Math Notebook Cover Template
4. Hints for Implementing Math Notebooks
5. Sample Math Notebook Rubric
Grades K-2
1. Math Notebook Cover Template
2. Table of Contents Template
Math Notebook Math Notebook
This year you will be using a Math Notebook to keep your work This year you will be using a Math Notebook to keep your work
organized. Your notebook will be used as a personalized organized. Your notebook will be used as a personalized
reference book so you must make sure that you bring it to school reference book so you must make sure that you bring it to school
every day. If you do not have your notebook you can take notes every day. If you do not have your notebook you can take notes
on a piece of paper and transfer them to your notebook later. on a piece of paper and transfer them to your notebook later.
Math Notebook Rules: Math Notebook Rules:
Create a cover page that represents you Create a cover page that represents you
Create a Table of Contents and keep it current at all times Create a Table of Contents and keep it current at all times
Write neatly so that you can use your notebook as a visual Write neatly so that you can use your notebook as a visual
study tool. You may use colored pencils, pens and study tool. You may use colored pencils, pens and
highlighters but all math work should be done in PENCIL. highlighters but all math work should be done in PENCIL.
Number all pages in your notebook Number all pages in your notebook
Put a date and title on every page Put a date and title on every page
Label all diagrams, models etc. Label all diagrams, models etc.
Take your notebook home every night so that you can use Take your notebook home every night so that you can use
it to help with homework and study it to help with homework and study
If you are absent it is your responsibility to use the If you are absent it is your responsibility to use the
Teacher Notebook to catch up on anything you missed Teacher Notebook to catch up on anything you missed
Your notebook must be organized into a Left Side and a Your notebook must be organized into a Left Side and a
Right Side. Right Side.
Left Side (Output) Right Side (Input) Left Side (Output) Right Side (Input)
(where you process / practice skills) (where you process / practice skills)
Math Goals Notes Math Goals Notes
Problem of the Day Handouts Problem of the Day Handouts
Math Journal Tasks Vocabulary Math Journal Tasks Vocabulary
Practice problems Assessments Practice problems Assessments
Reflections Graphic Organizers Reflections Graphic Organizers
Test Corrections Foldables Test Corrections Foldables
Preparing Your Math Notebook
1. Cut out your Math Notebook cover and paste it to the front of your notebook.
2. Write your name and class.
3. Decorate your Math Notebook cover by writing some descriptive sentences about you
that contain numbers. See the examples below or come up with your own ideas. Be
creative! You can include some small drawings to illustrate your ideas or write each
sentence inside a different shape. You can write numbers or expressions (e.g. I am
5 x 2 years old, or I am (6 x 3) - (5 + 3) years old.
Possible number descriptions:
The last two digits of my phone number are ______.
I am ______ years/days old.
I have ________ siblings.
My birthday is on _________.
My height is _________.
My surname has _______ letters.
My shoe size is ________.
My house number is _________.
My favorite shape has ______ sides and ______ angles.
I read _____ books this summer.
I have _______ cousins.
________ people live in my house.
It takes me _______ minutes to get to school each day.
4. Highlight your artistic skills by using colored pencils, markers or crayons.
5. Create a Table of Contents on the first page of your notebook that has three
columns. Repeat on pages 2-3. User a ruler!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Date Math Topic Pages
6. OPTIONAL: To keep your Math
Notebook looking good all year cover it
with clear contact paper.
Math NoteBook
Name:
Class:
Hints for Implementing Math Notebooks
1. What happens when students are absent?
Teachers can keep a master copy of the notebook as a resource for absent students as well as those that
need to "catch up." Another idea is to keep an up to date Table of Contents on a Post-It Note Easel Pad.
When absent students return to class they can check the Table of Contents to see what they missed.
Then, they can ask a neighbor for details or check the teacher's notebook to find out what they missed.
2. What are some examples of questions or thinking stems that students might use to write
reflections on the left side of their math notebook?
Processing Questions:
1. What did we learn today?
2. How does what we learned today connect to or add to something we learned previously?
3. How can what we learned today help us in the real world?
Thinking Stems:
• The most important thing I learned today was…
• I would explain to an absent student what I learned today like this…
• I still don't understand…
• I first thought…but now I realize…
• I’m not sure…
• Another strategy I could have used …
• I will understand this better if I…
• Tomorrow I would like to …
• The easiest/most difficult part of the lesson was…
3. What are Foldables and how can they be included in the notebook?
In the introduction to her book, Big Book of Math - Elementary K-6, Dinah Zike describes Foldables as,
"a 3-D, student-made, interactive graphic organizer based upon a skill. Making a Foldable gives students
a fast, kinesthetic activity that helps them organize and retain information. Foldables are designed to be
used as a study guide for main ideas and key points; however, Foldables can also be used to solve math
problems, answer questions, explain computations, and record definitions."
4. What types of graphic organizers can be used for vocabulary?
There are many different types of graphic organizers. Below are a few examples:
a) Frayer Model:
Definition in your own words Facts/Characteristics
4 sides may or may not be of
A polygon with 4 sides and 4 equal length and may or may not
angles be parallel
Also known as quadrangle
Quadrilateral
Square
Rectangle Kite Circle
Trapezoid Rhombus Triangle
Pentagon
Example Non-example
b) Venn diagrams can be used to visualize the relationships between 2 or 3 sets (e.g. prime numbers,
even numbers and multiples of 3).
c) Tree Diagram d) Bubble Map
5. Random Hints for Notebooks:
- Establish routines for notebook organization and use during the first week of school
- Use tabs to identify units
- Glue a large envelope onto the back cover of the notebook to hold students’ Math Vocabulary Book
- Model , model, model! Keep your own notebook and model how to use it both in school and for
homework
- Hold students accountable for the work in their math notebooks by using a notebook rubric. Collect
notebooks every 4-6 weeks and let students know that their notebook work will count towards their
math grade.
Math Notebook Rubric
4 Notebook is very organized and includes all components (titles,
dates, page numbers, up to date Table of Contents)
Right side pages (Input) are neat and accurate
Left side pages (Output) consistently show advanced
understanding of concepts
3 Notebook is organized and includes all components (titles,
dates, page numbers, up to date Table of Contents)
Right side pages (Input) are neat and accurate
Left side pages (Output) consistently show grade level
understanding of concepts
2 Some parts of the notebook are organized
Some right side pages are untidy, unfinished or missing
Some left side pages show grade level understanding of
concepts
1 Notebook is not organized or is missing several components
Many right side pages are untidy, unfinished or missing
Many left side pages show below grade level understanding of
concepts
Lower Grades Math Notebook Cover Template
I am ______ years old. Math Homework
My shoe size is _____.
1. Cut out your Math Notebook cover and paste it
to the front cover of your notebook.
My favorite shape has ___ sides.
2. Use numbers to complete the sentences.
3. Write your name and class.
4. Use colored pencils or crayons to decorate your
My birthday is on _________.
cover.
Math Notebook: 5. Return your Math Notebook to school.
Name: *Optional: To keep your Math Notebook looking
good all year cover it in clear contact paper.
Class:
___ people live in my house.
I have ___ pets.
My first name has ____ letters.
I wake up at _______.
I go to bed at ______.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Date Math Topic Pages
We hope that you found this resource useful! For hundreds more free math center activities
and resources aligned with the Common Core State Standards visit our website at:
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