When we mention reading and writing, English and Language Arts classes usually come to mind. However, literacy is a staple in all subject areas. It is necessary for students to be able to effectively communicate their understanding and mastery in all subjects. As a teacher, I was guilty of not always giving my students the opportunity to practice reading and writing in math class. Think about it: we may ask students questions we think they can solve, but find that they are at a standstill when it comes to answering. This is not always due to the students’ lack of understanding, but their inability to effectively communicate what they do know. By providing opportunities to practice communication through reading and writing, we are helping our students effectively show their understanding and make meaningful connections to their learning.

Imagine this: You have just finished a lesson on adding and subtracting fractions. Your students have done a phenomenal job with computing given addition and subtraction problems. However, when it comes time to do word problems, they do not have the slightest clue where to begin.

As a middle school math teacher, I had this very same issue. My students did an amazing job with solving one- and two-step equations, but when it was time to do any word problems, their confidence disappeared into the ether.