Number Talks

‘There are far too many students who feel like they are no good at math because they aren’t quick to get right answers. With Number Talks, students start to believe in themselves mathematically. They become more willing to perservere when solving complex problems. They become more confident when they realize that they have ideas worth listening to. And when students feel this way, the culture of the class can be transformed.’ - Cathy Humphreys & Ruth Parker Making Number Talks Matter

Getting Started No paper/pencil Fist to chest Think time Answers only first Strategies

Dot Card

19 x 6

Student Solutions

2.5% of 200

The Guiding Principles All students have mathematical ideas worth listening to. Through our questions, we seek to understand students’ thinking. We encourage students to explain conceptually rather than procedurally. Mistakes provide opportunities to look at ideas that might not otherwise be considered. While efficiency is a goal, we recognize that whether or not a strategy is efficient lies in the linking and understanding of each individual learner. ‘No strategy is efficient for a student who does not yet understand it.’ – Making Number Talks Matter

The Guiding Principles We seek to create a learning environment where all students feel safe sharing their mathematical ideas. One of our most important goals is to help students develop social and mathematical agency. Mathematical understanding develops over time. Confusion and struggle are natural, necessary, and even desirable parts of learning mathematics. We value and encourage a diversity of ideas.

Websites Math Talks http://www.mathtalks.net/ Visual Patterns http://www.visualpatterns.org/