Number Talks

Number Talks by Sherry Parrish:



Click here - Sample of the Book










The following is adapted from Math Perspectives article found here:

What are number Talks? 

  • Number talks are short daily routines that help students develop computational fluency.  
  • Not intended to replace current curriculum or take up majority of time spent on math.
  • They are 5 to 15 minutes long and most effective if done daily.
See a teacher in action:







Math Perspectives Number Talks Toolkit by Kathy Richardson: http://www.mathperspectives.com/num_talks.html

Goal of Number Talks: Develop computational fluency

In order for children to become computationally fluent, they need to know particular mathematical concepts that go beyond what is required to memorize basic facts or procedures. Students need to understand that:
 • Numbers are composed of smaller numbers. 
 • Numbers can be taken apart and combined with other numbers to make new numbers. 
 • What we know about one number can help us figure out other numbers. 
 • What we know about parts of smaller numbers can help us with parts of larger numbers. 
 • Numbers are organized into groups of tens and ones (and hundreds, tens and ones and so forth.)
 • What we know about numbers to 10 helps us with numbers to 100 and beyond
Activities and examples of Number Talk Routines

Grade 2 Number Talks:

Click on the link below to find the grade 2 number strings that will develop strategies for mental computations:

Click here for Grade 2 subtraction number strings


Grade 3 to 5 Number Talks:

Click on the link below to find the grade 3 to 5 number strings that will develop strategies for mental computations:

1- Addition -- Click here for Grade 3 - 5 addition number strings
2 - Subtraction -- Click here for Grade 3 - 5 subtraction number strings
3 - Multiplication -- Click here for Grade 3 - 5 multiplication number strings
4 - Division -- Click here for Grade 3 - 5 division number strings

Number Talk Instructional Routines for Grades 3 to 5:
The following instructional routines would be useful once you have finished going though the strategies in the links above.
Click here - Instructional Routines for Grades 3 to 5


See the following link for clues on how to implement number talks:

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