Sunday, September 22, 2013

Day 15, Amy Lancaster-Math IC

What’s a “number talk?” 

What’s a “number talk?”  At Cimarron we are focused on building fact fluency and numeracy. Wonderful “number talks” are happening in every grade level. A number talk is a short amount of time when students are asked how THEY solve problems. For example, when given  8 +9, students might take one from the 8 and give it to the 9 to make a 10. Now the equation is 7 + 10 (Make a Ten Strategy). Those are “friendly” numbers to add. Another student may see the same equation and think 8 + 8 + 1 (using the Doubles +1 Strategy). Here is a poster displaying the students’ thinking in one fourth grade classroom. Once children learn to manipulate numbers they have a better understanding of Algebra. Did you know that there is a correlation between failing Algebra and dropping out of school?  Try it! How would you solve 36 + 25 (TWO WAYS)?  Did you see 30 + 20 + 11? Did you see it another way?  Students need to understand how to break problems apart. Have fun exploring different ways of solving problems!


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