“These are an amazing way to start our math block. Here’s what some teachers are saying about Math Conversations: They are completely ready to go! Just choose one for the day and your prep is complete! Each package includes 200 Math Conversations prompts so you have plenty of options for your class. If you are interested in starting a math conversations routine using ideas like the ones I shared above, you might be interested in these Math Conversations slides. Once your students get comfortable with talking about math, they will be ready to get onto some more advanced number talks! Time-Saving Math Conversations There are many different ways to see them! Have students share how they see the dot images. Write a number such as 342 and ask students how they would think about getting to the next ten.

Halve a number (use the same process as above for doubling).

Hearing students’ thought processes can be fascinating! Others might imagine a number line where they start at 350, then add 50 more, then 300 more. They will have many different strategies! For example, to double 350, some students might think 300+300+50+50. Ask students to double it and share how they did it.

Double a number: Write a number on the board.

To get your students used to talking about math (and being comfortable doing it) here are some easy ways to get started: Remember that you will need to start slowly and work your way up to some of the number talks that have been covered here. If you’re still reading this, you’re probably excited about implementing a number talk routine in your class and eager to get started! But the thought of a new daily routine can be overwhelming. Related: Ten Things to Include in Your Number of the Day Routine Getting Started With Number Talks

It may take time for students to get used to the “struggle” of thinking during number talks.

You want them to use their mental space for strategizing, not for worrying about being called on.

Don’t call on students, but let them volunteer instead.

It may take time for students to feel comfortable sharing.

The more consistent you are, the better results you will get!.

Number talks might feel uncomfortable at first – for both you and your students.

Here is how I’m thinking…Īs you implement a new number talk routine, here are some things to remember:

_’s strategy makes sense to me because….

I like/don’t like that strategy because….

Have students use sentence starters like the ones below: This routine can be made even more powerful by having students take time to reflect on others’ strategies. Make this a challenge to see how many different strategies students can come up with! In this type of number talk, a teacher might say, “Let’s think about all the different ways we can solve 22×5.” Allow thinking time, and then ask for volunteers to share their strategies. If you would rather not do the exact number talk practice as outlined above, try a simple strategy sharing session. Some teachers find that a different process fits their classroom better. This ensures that other students aren’t distracted by hands shooting in the air as students think of a strategy.Īlternative to the Traditional Routine: How Did You Solve It?

As students think of strategies, they put a thumb to their chest and a finger up for each additional one. The teacher poses the problem 22×5 and allows all students thinking time. Let’s take a look at what a number talk might look like in a 5th grade classroom. Ask for a volunteer to defend an answer.Record them on the board without judging them as right or wrong.

This encourages students to keep thinking of new strategies rather than sitting mindlessly after they’ve got one. If he thinks of additional strategies, he puts a finger up for each one. When a student has a strategy, he puts a thumb to his chest. They allow students to consider strategies that they may not be familiar with.Īny way that you can get your students talking about numbers and strategies will benefit them! But here is a typical routine for number talks:.They give teachers a chance to identify misconceptions.

They allow students to explore important connections and relationships.They foster a safe space for making mistakes.They encourage students to be flexible with numbers (one of the big goals of fact fluency!).Number talks require very little (to no) prep time.It’s easy to see the benefit of number talks.

Number talks kindergarten