Additional Resources
1 - Math Talk Norms to Facilitate Discussion.
- Agree/Disagree with ideas and not the person.
- Allow people to speak for themselves and allow for appropriate think time.
- It’s ok to make mistakes and revise our thinking.
- Make sense of mathematics by asking questions to clarify misconceptions.
2 – Protocol for Math Talks
I want my class to keep in mind that it is not about the speed in which they arrive at the answer. I want them to think deeply about the problem presented and come up with as many unique methods as possible. Once students think they have a solution, they signal to me, with a thumb up close to their chest, that they have one solution. If they have two, another finger goes up and so on. If the problem is more involved and does not require mental math skills, I usually walk around the room to see student progress. I try to sequence student responses by anticipating answers that will lead to overall better understanding of the problem.
3 – Guiding Questions for Teachers During Math Talks
These can also be used as journal entries to further dialogue in my class
What are the similarities and differences between the approaches taken by two students? More specifically, which one is more effective?
Can you explain what happened in a different way?
Ask students to rephrase other solutions
I like to change values mid problem to emphasize a rule or method of solving a problem.
Cold and Hot – Meaning, give an improvement to the presenter’s solution and a complement.
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