Number Talks Developing Mental Strategies for Dealing with Numbers Adapted from St. Vrain School District

About Number Talks Students participate daily In addition to 1 hour math session minutes Number talks replace –timed tests –drilling facts –around the world games Students do not use pencil and paper

Facilitating Number Talks Record all processes so students can ask questions about strategies they find confusing Encourage students to try a “new” strategy regularly Question students to help them clarify their strategies Ask repeatedly, “Who thought of it differently?”

Elements of a Successful Number Talk All children are participating Thumbs up when ready Safe Environment: –No criticism or praise Quiet thinking time Collect all answers Share Three Strategies

Successful Number Talks Continued Record the strategies Use careful questioning to draw explanations Not too much help: Let them struggle! Don’t leave incorrect explanations Encourage children to try other strategies Name strategies

What Students Might Do Use landmark numbers = = = = = 85

What Students Might Do Front end addition = = = 110

What Students Might Do Take apart numbers = = = = 33

What Students Might Do Change order in addition = = = = 92