Brett Pfahler

EN 454
May 2, 2013

Writing/RAFT Ideas for Mathematics

RAFT Ideas
1. Variable Expressions
R
Variable
A
Student
F
Letter
T
How a variable acts in an equation

2. Three-sided persuasion
R
Any shape triangle (besides equilateral)
A
An equilateral triangle
F
Persuasion speech
T
Why Im the best triangle

3. Isaac Newtons Final Letter

R
Isaac Newton
A
People of the United States
F
Letter
T
Known for math first, science second

4. Golfing and Pythagorean Theorem

R
Tiger Woods
A
Pythagoras
F
Thank you letter
T
Your discovery has made me famous!

5. The Natural Numbers

R
Natural (non-negative) number
A
Real numbers
F
Poem
T
Natural numbers are the most widely used numbers

6. Characteristics of a Fraction
R
Any fraction
A
Students
F
Analogy List

How does a fraction act

7. Unit Circle
R
A value/characteristic on the unit circle
A
Class of students
F
Short story
T
Create a story using 10 terms or values from the unit circle

Writing Ideas for a Math Classroom

1. Math Class Autobiography
Write about your journey through your math courses beginning as far back as you can
remember. Think about all of the struggles and success that you have had. Recall the different
teachers that you have had and explain what you did or didnt enjoy about their class. Explain in
detail which topics of math that you find more difficult than others and describe what comes
easier to you. Lastly, do you honestly enjoy math class right now? Why or why not?

2. When you think of Math...

On the top of your paper, write the first word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear (or
read) the word math. Write 3-5 complete sentences about why you feel this way.

3. Conversation Between Fractions

Write a 10-15 line conversation using fractions as the main characters. Try and find two
fractions that are relatable to one another OR if you can create a conversation with two
completely unrelated fractions, do so. Make this interesting! Be creative and feel free to use any
terms or definitions that relate to math.

4. Your life this week

Think of how your week has been. Was it busy? Interesting? Frustrating? Confusing? Fun? Full
of excitement? Then choose a word or phrase used specifically in the field of mathematics to
relate it to how you are feeling. Write a short (3-4 sentence) description of why you chose that
specific word.

5. Give an Award!
Now you, the student, get to hand out the award. Using terms, definitions, shapes, rules,
equations, etc. select what you have found to be the M.V.T. (Most Valuable Tool) during this
chapter. This can be any one idea that you have used the most or have found to be the most
helpful in solving math problems. Once you have selected your M.V.T., write about why you
chose that tool in 3-5 sentences.

6. Descriptive memo
The entire class was absent yesterday...except for you! Leave a memo for the entire class to read
describing what took place in class. Be descriptive. Remember that this material may be very
foreign to some of your classmates so you need to be as detailed as possible to avoid confusion.
Use terms, formulas, and any other ideas that were presented in class so that you become the
teacher. Start your memo using the form:
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
Next, begin your description of what was taught in class.

7. What if proofs did not exist in mathematics?

Write about the question above. What would happen if we did not have proof in math. If
mathematicians, or anyone for that matter, did not have to prove ideas through theorems (which
are proved through axioms)? What struggles would we as humans endure and what field of jobs
would be affected the most by this? Would it be easier or more difficult to convince someone of
an idea or new discovery? Write 4-6 complete sentences about this topic.