Number Talks have been around for quite a few years now, and when they are done well they can be the most impactful 5-15 minutes of your math class. On the flip side, if they have not been planned for or executed in the intended way get ready for confusion and a total flop!
How Do I Prepare for an Awesome Number Talk?
There is nothing to copy, laminate, and cut out (phew)! The “prep” behind number talks is all about the computation problem you are going to display and pre-planning some different strategies you think students may use to solve it. That is it! My teams use time during a PLC to talk through some of these pieces and after 5-10 minutes of structured conversation we had solid number talks mapped out for a couple weeks. If there is a certain strategy you are wanting your students to work on – then use a problem that will go well with it. Check out the image below for an example.
Let’s say my students are struggling with Adding Up with Subtraction. I want to use problems such as this which would be most effective to start at 99 and count up 1 to 100, then 100 to 200 making the difference 101. Of course, with students running the show the conversation will go in a lot of different directions with multiple strategies but as the teacher you do have the control over what problems they are talking about so choose wisely.
How to Structure Your Best Number Talk Ever!
First, make sure you are clear on the foundation and routines of a number talk. There are excellent books out there all about this but here is what you need to know:
- Students do NOT use pencil/paper to work out the math. It is all done mentally.
- Display a computation problem so everyone can see.
- As students mentally figure out the answer they will put their thumb up close to their chest to show you they have one answer. They continue thinking of a different strategy they could use to get to the same answer. Students continue to raise an additional finger for each different strategy they discovered.
- You (the teacher) then write down on the board every answer the students came up with. Yes – you will most likely be writing down plenty of wrong answers. THAT IS OKAY!
- Next, ask a student to defend one of the answers while you scribe their thinking with equations for all to see.
- Multiple representations and strategies are encouraged, so sit back and let them take over the discussion using accountable talk strategies.
Click the image below to download my one page Number Talk direction sheet.
Are you Ready to Launch Number Talks Tomorrow?
- Be confident!
- Stay strategy focused
- Encourage a positive math mindset (mistakes are welcome)
- Acknowledge that standard algorithms are correct, but celebrate creative ways to get to an answer
Still don’t feel ready? Check out some of my premade number talks that I have organized by focus strategy. Each section includes “teacher tips” on that particular strategy so you have me along as your guide every step of the way!
Start off with addition/subtraction number talks for 3rd grade as your students become familiar with the format and routine, before tackling more challenging and conceptual multiplication and division number talks.