K-6 teachers!  Are you frustrated at your students' lack of number sense?  Do you struggle to fit  more basic math practice into your already jam-packed day?  Do your students struggle to discuss their math thinking? NEVER FEAR!  Number Talks is here!!!!!! :-)

I have used Number Talks for over 2 years, and it has helped me address some problems I was having in my math teaching.  I felt like my students could follow steps to math problems, but were unable to manipulate and use numbers with a true understanding of what they were doing, or what they could potentially do, with numbers.

What is Number Talks?  

Number Talks is a book from the Math Solutions folks. It is a 15 minute/day routine (minimum 3 days/week) with your class that focuses on their mental math skills. The book scaffolds the different math skills and strategies that the kids need to know.  Also, the program builds in conversation frames and hand signals, so that the kids learn how to discuss their thinking with others!  The program also coaches you, as a teacher, in how to facilitate these types of discussions.  It is simple, yet very powerful.  

Here are some videos to watch you see how it is done.  You might have seen something like this on Teaching Channel, but were at a loss for how those teachers could become so awesome.

Here is the book. 

The book has a DVD with much better videos (I think) than the link above.  This book is pricey, so talk to your principal, PTO, or some other source to purchase it for you if possible.  My principal loved this so much when she saw me do it, that she ended up buying one for each grade level, and we implement this program now K-6! Imagine 6th grade teachers how amazing your students could be once they get to you...

Here are my conversation frames, and some addition strategy posters from last year's class. The kids love it when a strategy is named after them!

 

Here is an example of what my easel looks like after a Number Talks session (this was one of my first ones this year).  I also gather kids on the floor in front of my side white board sometimes.  

How to set it up:

1. Find a gathering spot in your class where you have access to an easel or board to write on.  Do not have students stay in their desks.  This is a cozy class family math time type of scenario. 

2.  Post conversation frames on the wall.  You may also have a number line, 100s chart, etc. posted if that will help your kids. 

3.  Poster making supplies.  You will post strategies that the kids develop to refer back to. Be prepared to make some posters for each skill that your class uses. 

4. Read the book.  I know... duh... but it's important to read the pages in between the lessons.

5. Trust in the recommended starting point. Starting at adding tens or reviewing ten-frames in fourth grade? Say what?! Trust me, your kids need that review, and adding up all those columns of numbers in long multiplication will be sooooooooo much better down the line!

I can sing the praises of Number Talks  to you all day, but for now, I hope I have piqued your interest!

Have a great day!

Teaching? Blogging? Why?! :-)

This definitely is going to feel like a diary entry, so I've decided to write it as one! Bear with me here...

Dear Teaching Diary,

Summer is waving its sad good-bye, while the new school year is running up to give me a high-five!  After 8 years of teaching, getting the classroom set up STILL sets off this chain reaction of emotions.  I'm excited, then nervous, then overwhelmed, then excited, then stressed, then excited...

When I was a kid, being a teacher meant that I got to keep being a part of the learning process. Knowing about things was fun, the pursuit of knowledge addictive, and being able to share that with others, while hopefully being able to finger-paint a bit... sign me up! (Seriously, finger-painting was probably my #1 reason.)  Now that I've been doing it awhile, I sincerely believe that this is the biggest contribution to society that I will be able to make, one small unit of tiny people at a time.

These perspectives dilute themselves with the demands of the job.  Difficult students and parents, lack of curriculum, more data demands, standardized testing/politicians, lack of pay, mounds of hours of work while trying to have a life... it feels like the whole world is on top of you!  I think it's true for most teachers that we expect a lot out of ourselves... and that is the hardest thing about a job that already demands so much.  Unfortunately, the job doesn't always give back in equal amounts.

Thinking about all of this brought on the inspiration to start a blog.  Why?

1. To remind myself that hanging out with 8-9 year olds all day can be pretty amazing! Focusing on the good things that high-school-me loved.

2. To refine my practice.  If you're a teacher, you know the whirl wind that happens each day, and I'd like to savor some of the sweet moments that seem to fly by!

3.  To give back to those other teachers and bloggers that have provided me with so many resources and ideas from all parts of the world!  (Many for free even, BTPT-- Before Teachers Pay Teachers.)

Well Teaching Diary, that is all for now.  I have a classroom to set up, and some hopefully adorable and sweet and smart and funny students to get ready for!

Much love,
Mrs. Pi.