Making Number Talks Matter: Developing Mathematical Practices and Deepening Understanding, Grades 3-10

by Cathy Humphreys, Ruth Parker

Making the transition to student-centered learning begins with finding ways to get students to share their thinking, something that can be particularly challenging for math class. Authors Ruth Parker and Cathy Humphreys introduce. Making Number Talks Developing Mathematical Practices and Deepening Understanding, Grades 3-10, taking the readers into classrooms where their Number Talks routines are taught. Parker and Humphreys apply their 15 minute lessons to inspire and initiate math talks. Through vignettes in the book, you'll meet other teachers learning how to listen closely to students and how to prompt them into figuring out solutions to problems. You will learn how to make on-the-spot decisions, continually advancing and deepening the conversation. Making Number Talks Matter Sample Filled with a range of Number Talks problems, 10-15 minute warm-up routines that lend themselves to mental math and comparison of strategies Navigating Rough Learn how to create a safe environment fortrickyor challenging student discussions that can arise when talking through problems and sharing ideas Responding to Ways to handle misconceptions and mathematical errors that come up during the course of Number Talk conversations Making Number Talks Matter is filled with teaching tips for honoring student contributions while still correcting errors, and teaching concepts while nudging independent thinking. Whether you are an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher, through daily practice and open conversation, you can build a solid foundation for the study of mathematics and Make Number Talks Matter.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Unfinished

212 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2015

Reviews

[Debbie Deerwester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to try an innovative approach to get students excited about math. I teach in a special education setting and the students have grown to dislike math as it is a struggle area for them.

This book helps get kids excited and talking about math instead of relying on learned algorithms with no meaning to them. A problem is presented on the board and the students first think of all the different strategies to solve the problem independently. The teacher writes all the answers on the board without saying which one is right. The students turn and talk with their partners explaining their ideas. NO pencil or paper is used by the students. They must use their communication skills to explain. After that a whole group discussion goes on where students share all the strategies and support each other respectfully disagree and explain why. I have used this is in the class and the students really enjoy sharing their answers and participate more frequently when a problem is presented in this way.

[Katie Zebrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Number Talks and this book is awesome because it gives details on how to handle different subjects within mathematics. It's super detailed and I could follow the explanations and would be comfortable implementing them within my classroom!

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a perfect mix of theory, examples, strategies, and troubleshooting.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolutely revolutionary approach to filling in a student’s mathematical gaps. I highly recommend this book as a major resource for the Davis SD secondary math teachers who teach our Math Lab class as a way to build numeracy and number sense while supporting and respecting student’s funds of knowledge. Number Talks are all about giving students a chance to vocalize their Mathematical logic and allows them to grapple with mathematical topics without relying on rote memorized procedure but relying on students to justify and engage in rich mathematical discourse to share multiple solutions! I highly recommend this book for educators as well as parents. I regularly hold number talks with my own kids at home—7th and 4th grade—and they both come away respecting each other’s mathematical methods and mathematical ideas! Additionally, Number Talks help students fix misconceptions with very little teacher input and allow for a safe mathematical community where all funds of knowledge are respected! I truly love this book and the methods it teaches!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very helpful for teachers, especially elementary math teachers, to get started using "number talks".
Number talks are a type of math discussion in which students examine and discuss numbers, as well as strategies for computation using "mental math". These talks, which feature "open strategy sharing", help students feel more comfortable discussing math strategies, observations, errors, and thereby deepen understanding of mathematical concepts.
I found it a good companion to Intentional Talk by Elham Kazemi & Allison Hintz, a book that offers methods and examples on how to lead mathematical discussions. I recommend that "Intentional Talk" be read first, because many of the math discussion skills that Kazemi & Hintz detail in their book, (such as "open strategy sharing", "Why? Let's justify") can and should be used in number talks.

[Colleen Spillers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy read. Great resource to get you started in the realm of number talks.

I'm transitioning from "several" years as a literacy specialist to the main stream classroom - and will be teaching math. This book gave me great insight to understanding number talks. I had the general gist, but now have deeper knowledge to back it up.

I read the book quickly - in a morning.

My main complaint is that I'll be teaching the primary grades and the examples in the book are for upper elementary to middle and even high school. I need a resource for primary. That is next on my quest!

[Erin Stuhlsatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the idea that students will be better mathematicians if they learn that there are multiple approaches to problem, MNTM explains strategies and starting points for helping your students learn how to think about numbers, operations, and the nature of mathematics.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible, practical guide to... well, what the title says.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful beginners guide to number talks

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait to do these with students this year!!

[Stacy Stoker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read that I’m sure I’ll refer back to throughout the school year. I would recommend it to all math teachers.

[Ryan Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandatory reading for all math teachers!

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a teacher and teach anything related to mathematics, this is a terrific book to read. Exclusively about number talks, their importance, and how to do them effectively.

[April]

Great tips on how to conduct number talks in your classroom

[Kim Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any teacher of Mathematics

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathy Humphreys is always such a joy to read (check out Connecting Mathematical Ideas!). I'm really excited to have a strategy to teach fluency that builds number sense, and doesn't rely on algorithmic practice. For my students who come to 6th grade behind in their understanding of operations with whole and rational numbers, Number Talks feel like a way to "catch them up" in a deep and meaningful way.

[Wendi Klaiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this book during my silent reading class at school, so it might take me the whole year to get through it. I'm not sure though that this is a good choice because I am finding great ideas to implement into my classroom now.

Wow! Where do I find the time to implement these number talks. This book gives very specific examples with theory. An excellent resource for all math educators.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone teaching mathematics (elementary to geometry at least) should READ THIS BOOK. I plan on implementing number talks in my classes this year. I am a little nervous about doing them DAILY (15 min per day is a lot), but I think I can do them at least twice a week.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every teacher of math need to read this book and implement this practice if we really want our students to have an understanding of how math works.

It would also be great for parents to do with their kids and friends, a small group number talk.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all math teachers. A real answer to help students build number sense and fluency.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to get teachers thinking about another way to capture student thinking in their classrooms.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for every math educator. It goes right to the heart of number sense and why our students haven't developed it. I give my highest recommendation as a middle school math educator.

[Kate Spees · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect guide to help teachers with some experience in number talks take them to the next level!