Unlocking the Power of Number Talks in Elementary Classrooms

Do you ever find yourself frustrated with students who struggle to explain their math thinking? Or maybe you’re looking for a way to shake up your math routine with something that builds number sense and fluency without relying on memorization? Let me introduce you to one of my favorite teaching tools: Number Talks!

I’ve been using Number Talks in my third-grade classroom for the last couple of years, and it’s hands down one of the best ways to help students build flexible thinking skills and strengthen their mental math. 

Number Talks give students the chance to verbalize their problem-solving process, and as a teacher, I get to model and visualize their thinking for the whole class. Not only does this help individual students clarify their ideas, but it also helps their peers see math in new and exciting ways. These 10 to 15-minute sessions have transformed the way my students think about math, and I can’t recommend them enough.

What is a Number Talk?

A Number Talk is a short, focused math activity where students solve math expressions mentally, using whatever strategies work best for them. This is a type of Math Talk that uses numbers and expressions as opposed to visual images. This activity is great for building number sense and mental math skills—and it works for all kinds of math, from addition and subtraction to multiplication, division, fractions, or even decimals!

@mathhappyhour

Here is why I LOVE 💕 number talks so much! #thirdgrademath

♬ original sound – MathHappyHour

Here’s how it works:

1. Present the Problem: Start with a math problem students can solve mentally. For example, it could be 18 + 25 for second-grade students or something like 3/4 + 1/2 for fourth-grade students. Write this problem on the board or chart paper.
2. Think Time: Give students about a minute to think through the problem and come up with a solution. Don’t rush to take student answers…giving students think time is an essential step in number talks. You can teach your students these hand signals and encourage them to find more than one strategy if they can.
3. Partner Share: Students share their thinking with a partner. This is a chance for them to test out their explanations in a low-stakes setting.
4. Whole Class Discussion: Call on a few volunteers to share their strategies with the class. As they explain their methods, you’ll record their thinking on the board using words, pictures, or equations. The goal isn’t just about getting the “right answer”—it’s about exploring different ways to solve the problem. Include student names with their explanations. This shows students you value their thinking.

Why Should You Try Number Talks?

There are so many benefits to using Number Talks in your classroom. Here are eight of my favorite reasons:

1. Student-Led Discussions: Number Talks put students in the driver’s seat. They’re the ones doing the thinking, explaining, and justifying their solutions.
2. Multiple Strategies: Your students will quickly see that there’s more than one way to solve a math problem. This flexibility in thinking is key to building strong problem-solvers.
3. Peer Learning: Students learn from each other! Listening to a classmate’s strategy might just spark a new way of thinking for a student who’s stuck.
4. Understanding, Not Memorizing: Number Talks push students to understand how numbers work together rather than memorizing steps or procedures. It’s all about true comprehension.
5. Making Thinking Visible: As you record student thinking on the board, it helps the whole class understand math concepts and they can see how to “show” their thinking. Plus, students get to practice explaining their thinking clearly.
6. Connecting Ideas: Number Talks help students see how different math ideas fit together. This helps build a strong foundation for future learning.
7. Spiral Review: They’re perfect for spiral review, giving students a chance to revisit important concepts regularly in a fresh, engaging way.
8. Formative Assessment: You’ll get a great sense of where your students are in their understanding just by listening to their explanations. It’s an easy, informal way to assess their progress. You can also use hand signals to assess student learning.

Quick Tip: Start Small

If you’re new to Number Talks, don’t feel like you need to jump in with both feet. Start small! Try one or two sessions a week, or pick one math concept to focus on. The most important thing is to give your students the space to think, share, and explore different strategies.

Number Talks have been a game-changer in my classroom. They help students see that math is more than just memorizing formulas—it’s about thinking, exploring, and finding connections. If you haven’t tried them yet, I encourage you to give it a go. Your students will thank you!

If you’re looking for Number Talks, we got you!

Check out our Monthly Math Talks for First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade. Each monthly Math Talk includes visual math talks like How Many?, Which One Doesn’t Belong, Same But Different, and Quick Images, but they also include Number Strings (a series of three equations) to do as a Number Talk with your students.

Each month includes 4 different number strings (that means 12 different expressions to do Number Talks with your students each month)! Check out all our Monthly Math Talks here.

Something to try tomorrow:

• Present a simple addition or subtraction problem and ask your students to solve it mentally. Give them time to think, share with a partner, and then let a few students explain their strategies while you record their thinking on the board. See what kinds of strategies they come up with—you might be surprised by the creativity in their solutions!

Feel free to reach out if you need any more tips on getting started with Number Talks. Let’s help students unlock their math potential—one conversation at a time!