Number talk sample & math conference outline
Number talks engage learners in mathematical communication in a reduced risk environment, as there are literally infinite possible ways to add relationships to a selected number. Which if necessary, allows an opportunity for others to tweak any inacurate representation presented.
By sharing and saving results for each number talk learners can refer to past results to generate future relationships for other numbers. While reinforcing previous ideas they can develop fluency, efficiency, and flexibility with different strategies and as learners present their relationships and share their different ideas, they will increase their abilities to communicate mathematically with others.
Among the relationships important to label are those related to mathematical properties.
The sample below is an example of what might be created when learners are asked to find different ways to represent a number, 16.
After learners have worked on their number cards or sheets for a predetermined time you can begin a conference.
Math conference
The following procedure can be used with a single learner or a group of learners.
- Have a learner share an example of their work along with their thinking about to support the accuracy of their work.
- Focus on their thinking and use collaborative behaviors to work together to explore their work.
- Acknowledge their work and desire to understand and seek further understanding.
- Interpret what the learner has done, what they know, and what they may still need to know.
- Decide on an instructional focus and how to support the learner's growth and learning to better understand the math.
- Nudge the learner's thinking forward to continue their thinking and deepen their understanding.
- Continue fluidly and iteratively through this process as dialogue unfolds until a problem is sufficiently exlored or the learner has demonstrated understanding in multiple ways.