Making Number Talks Matter—Resources by Chapter
Ch. 1 What Are Number Talks? Why Are They So Important?
Article: Number Talks Overview & Teacher Role
This summary sheet outlines what a number talk is and gives an overview of the routine along with a
description of the teacher’s role during a number talk.
http://www.mathperspectives.com/pdf_docs/number_talks.pdf
Article: Number Talks Build Numerical Reasoning
This article by Sherry Parrish, the author of the book Number Talks: Helping Children Build Mental Math
and Computation Strategies, Grades K-5, includes part of a transcript from a multiplication number talk
and describes the key components for successful number talks.
http://www.mathsolutions.com/documents/numbertalks_sparrish.pdf
Article: 13 Rules That Expire
This article from NCTM’s Teaching Children Mathematics outlines 13 “rules” that elementary students
are often taught that do not hold true mathematically, such as “subtraction and division make numbers
smaller” (½ ÷ ¼ = 2, and 2 is greater than 1/2).
http://www.nctm.org/Publications/teaching-children-mathematics/2014/Vol21/Issue1/13-Rules-That-
Expire/
Video: Number Talks—Building Numerical Reasoning
When you have time, but little energy, this 1-hour video of Sherry Parrish, respected author of Number
Talks, might be just the thing as she talks about how to strengthen students’ accuracy, efficiency and
flexibility with mental math and computation strategies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twGipANcIqg
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 2 Getting Number Talks Started
Online Article: Use Number Talks to Boost Math Reasoning
This article by the Cathy Humphries and Ruth Parker, authors of Making Number Talks Matter, supports
the reading from the first two chapters of the book.
http://www.middleweb.com/23254/use-number-talks-to-boost-math-reasoning/
Article: Whole Numbers: Description of Reasoning Strategies
This article from Scholastic lists mental strategies that use reasoning for addition/subtraction and
multiplication/division and calls out strategies that aren’t appropriate for the numbers at hand.
https://mathreasoninginventory.com/Pdfs/ReasoningStrategiesWholeNumbers.pdf
Blog: Math Reasoning Stages
Kristin Gray reflects on a list of “stages of math reasoning” that might offer teachers some ideas about
how to help students “construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others” (SMP 3). Among
https://mathmindsblog.wordpress.com/2015/06/27/math-reasoning-stages/
Article: Tips for Implementing Number Talks: Primary
Just like it sounds, this article offers tips for successful number talks in the primary classroom.
Math Perspectives http://www.mathperspectives.com/pdf_docs/tips-nt-primary-grades.pdf
Article: Tips for Implementing Number Talks: Intermediate
Just like it sounds, this article offers tips for successful number talks in the intermediate classroom.
Math Perspectives http://www.mathperspectives.com/pdf_docs/tips-nt-intermediate-grades.pdf
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 3 Guiding Principles for Enacting Number Talks in the Classroom
Reference Sheet: Summary of Guiding Principles for Number Talks
This sheet summarizes the principles outlined in Chapter 3 of Making Number Talks Matter.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQrbKG2
4TLAhVNxmMKHbRECGoQFggbMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Frmcrsc.schoolwires.net%2Fcms%2Flib4%2FWA0700177
5%2FCentricity%2FDomain%2F169%2FSummary%2520of%2520Guiding%2520Principles%2520for%2520Number%
2520Talks.docx&usg=AFQjCNGeJOQy6wjTjWb_VbqaEDoLDF-ptg&bvm=bv.114733917,d.cGc
Blog: Beginning Number Talks
Without describing specific student responses, Shelly Craig reflects briefly on three Number Talks,
explaining why she selected subtraction problems and the general ups and downs of the sessions.
Craig, Shelly. “Beginning Number Talks.” Math Is Elementary Blog. (November 22, 2015).
https://mathiselementary.wordpress.com/2015/11/22/beginning-number-talks/
Blog / Video: Number Talks and Safe Classroom Culture
Often student misconceptions arise during Number Talks, and addressing those mistakes in a positive,
safe way for the student can be challenging. Crystal Morey, a middle school teacher, shares what
happened in her class and debriefs with Ruth Parker, co-author of Making Number Talks Matter.
https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2015/11/12/safe-classroom-culture-gbt/
Website and Handout: Effective Questioning
The San Francisco Unified School District offers a set of questions grouped by the Standards for
Mathematical Practice to stimulate classroom discourse.
http://www.sfusdmath.org/effective-questioning.html
Book: The Danielson Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument
Use this guide to review Danielson components 2a Creating an environment of respect and 2b
Establishing a culture of learning as you think about what effective teaching looks like in these areas.
http://tpep-wa.org/wp-content/uploads/the-framework-for-teaching-evaluation-instrument-2011.pdf
Videos: Math and the Danielson Framework
This 3-minute video describes the important elements for a culture of learning in a mathematics
classroom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVykrsv0-5g
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 4 Subtraction Across the Grades
Reference Page: Addition & Subtraction Strategies
Georgia K-5 Mathematics Support offers this clear, well-organized at-a-glance sheet of addition and
subtraction strategies that are supported by Number Talks.
https://ccgpsmathematicsk-
5.wikispaces.com/file/view/Subtraction%20%26%20Addition%20Strategies%20At-A-
Glance.pdf/491683036/Subtraction%20%26%20Addition%20Strategies%20At-A-Glance.pdf
Online Article: Why I Like Using Open Number Lines (Though I Don’t Like the Name)
Marilyn Burns talks about the usefulness of the open number line as a subtraction model.
http://marilynburnsmathblog.com/wordpress/why-i-like-using-open-number-lines-though-i-dont-like-
the-name/
Blog: The Meaning of Subtraction
Fifth grade math specialist Kristin Gray reflects on a Number Talk and shares how she used a talk to dig
deeper into students’ understanding and extend their thinking.
https://mathmindsblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/the-meaning-of-subtraction/
Blog: I Love Number Talks!
Elementary math specialist Carrie Forsthoffer describes a subtraction Number Talk with fourth graders
(247-98), including how she got into hot water and how she found her way back out.
https://forsthoffer.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/i-love-number-talks/
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 5 Multiplication Across the Grades
Reference Page: Multiplication & Division Strategies
Georgia K-5 Mathematics Support offers this clear, well-organized at-a-glance sheet of multiplication
and division strategies that are supported by Number Talks.
https://ccgpsmathematicsk-
5.wikispaces.com/file/view/Division%20Multiplication%20Strategies%20At%20A%20Glance.pdf/491683
212/Division%20Multiplication%20Strategies%20At%20A%20Glance.pdf
Power Point: Properties of Operations—Multiplication
Need a little review on the five properties of multiplication (commutative, associative, distributive, zero,
and identity)? This PowerPoint presentation will walk you through each quickly and easily to bring you
back up to speed.
http://freyelementary.typepad.com/files/multiplicationproperties.ppt
Article: Fluency without Fear
This article by Stanford professor Jo Boaler cites research evidence on the best ways to learn math facts.
It’s a great article to read and discuss during a PLC.
https://bhi61nm2cr3mkdgk1dtaov18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/03/FluencyWithoutFear-2015.pdf
Video: How to Learn Math Session 5.1—Conceptual Learning, Number Sense
This video of Jo Boaler explaining research evidence on developing fluency pairs well with her “Fluency
without Fear” article. Watch at least the first 7.5 minutes with your team for some great food for
thought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ8LUswe41U
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 6 Addition Across the Grades
Power Point Slides for Number Talks
Henry County Schools in Georgia make available a series of Power Points for elementary teachers to use
with addition and subtraction Number Talks.
http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/38450
Reference Page: Addition and Subtraction Strategies At a Glance
This page outlines a variety of addition and subtraction strategies to draw out during number talks with
examples for each.
http://elemath.hallco.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Subtraction-Addition-Strategies-At-A-
Glance2.pdf
PowerPoint: Properties of Operations—Addition
Need a little review on the three properties of addition (commutative, associative, and identity)? This
PowerPoint presentation will walk you through each quickly and easily to bring you back up to speed.
http://www.ourclassweb.com/center_activities/math/additionproperties.pp.ppt
Ch. 7 Division Across the Grades
Reference Page: Multiplication and Division Strategies At a Glance
This page outlines a variety of multiplication and division strategies to draw out during number talks
with examples for each.
http://elemath.hallco.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Division-Multiplication-Strategies-At-A-
Glance1.pdf
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 8 Making Sense of Fractions (and Decimals and Percent)
Blog: Math Talks Fractions
Fifth grade teacher Anne Walker describes several fraction addition Number Talks she conducted with
her class.
https://usingimaginationinmath.wordpress.com/2015/11/22/math-talks-fractions/
Booklet: Maths4Life Fractions Booklet
This booklet from the UK for teachers helping students understand the concept of fractions suggests
teaching approaches and would fit nicely into PLC teamwork thinking about the teaching of fractions.
http://www.nrdc.org.uk/?p=282
Article: Teaching Fractions According to the CCSSM
Teachers of grades 3-7 seeking better understanding of the CCSS-M are given guidance in this lengthy
paper. Rather than reading the full article, consider using this document as a reference when planning
for specific fraction-related standards, either independently or in a PLC.
https://math.berkeley.edu/~wu/CCSS-Fractions_1.pdf
Ch. 9 Number Talks Can Spark Investigations
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Ch. 10 Managing Bumps in the Road
Web Page: Getting Started with Effective Math Talk in the Classroom
One of the challenges of doing Number Talks is fostering student-to-student communication. This page
shares a variety of tips and resources from Shametria L. Routt, including posters to hang in your
classroom.
http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2015/08/getting-started-with-effective-math.html
Article: Creating Math Talk Communities
Actionable tips help teachers create a learning community that fosters mathematical discussions among
students in their classrooms.
http://www.nctm.org/Publications/Teaching-Children-Mathematics/2015/Vol22/Issue4/Creating-Math-
Talk-Communities/
Ch. 11 Moving Forward
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Miscellaneous Resources
Article: Building Facility with Numbers: Grade-Level-Appropriate Expectations for Mental
Computation (G3-5)
This article emphasizes the importance of having a variety of strategies to be fluent with mental
computation.
https://sites.google.com/site/get2mathk5/home/number-talks
Power Point Slides for Intermediate Level Number Talks
Henry County Schools in Georgia make available a series of Power Points for intermediate teachers to
use with Number Talks, along with a suggested order for presentation.
http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/37071
Article: Number Talks for K-2 Teachers
This series of tips includes suggested Number Talks to do with each grade level.
http://www.cobbk12.org/bullard/NumberTalksK-2.pdf
Smart Board Resources K-5
This set of Smart Board Resources for Number Talks is ready-to-use for grades K-5.
http://rogersstaff.ss5.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3107421&pageId=4219901
Number Talks Webinar
This 42 minute webinar from Georgia K-5 Mathematics Support gives an introduction to Number Talks
geared toward K-HS teachers.
https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/playback/artifact?psid=2013-10-
31.1214.M.B6E5BBA79C6BCB2E78D8AE01F69C2B.vcr&aid=136850
Dot Card Images
This set of dot cards is ready to use for Number Talks.
http://www.mathperspectives.com/pdf_docs/mp_number-talks_dot_cards.pdf
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
Research
Research Paper: Impact of Number Talks on Mental Math Computation Abilities
If you’re seeking research to support the use of number talks in elementary classrooms, this masters
research paper describes the effects of number talks on fourth grade students’ mental math
computation abilities.
http://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1093&context=maed
Research Paper: Impact of Number Talks on Number Sense
Conducted as a masters project in Eastern Washington, this paper outlines the impact of number talks
on first grade students’ number sense.
http://www.heritage.edu/library/mastersprojects/celski_tabitha_2009.pdf
Rosalyn O’Donnell #EllensburgLearnsTogether
