Math and Writing Part 3: The Connection

The connection between quantitative literacy and traditional literacy goes past analogy. An analogy is great, but the power to be discovered by realizing the deeper connection exceeds the comparison between the two. Everything we see on a math page can be translated into words. I can take the math on a page and talk about things in English if I’d like. I can translate.

When we do math, we are conveying information, we are making a statement. To do math properly, and get in good habits, I often highly recommend that students write out what they are doing thoroughly, both in math and in English to help them connect what’s going on the paper.

I ask that they make their logic explicit. I am big on student participation. I notice people give the answers, but the why sometimes, people tend to be a little bit more hesitant. Much like writing an outline for a paper, or doing drafts, cementing your ideas can help you out.