Module 1: Dot Talks & The Three Basics

Module One introduces teachers to Dot Cards and the Three Basics as a way to start off Number Talks and get students moving on the path to mathematical reasoning.

Dot Cards show students the:

Creativity in math
Visual nature of math
Many different ways people see math.

The Three Basics help students reason more easily about numbers across all operations by:

Doubling any number
Halving any number
Getting from any number to the next power of ten.

Step One

Read: Making Number Talks Matter

Chapter 1: What are Number Talks? Why are They So Important? pages 5−10
Chapter 2: Getting Number Talks Started pages 11−24
Chapter 3: Guiding Principles for Enacting Number Talks in the Classroom, pages 25−31.

Reflection Questions:

What do we mean by Number Talks?
What makes Number Talks so important?
How might Number Talks transform teaching and learning of all mathematics in middle school?
How will the Three Basics support student reasoning across all operations?

Step Two

Get out a piece of paper and pencil.

Click here to view a Dot Card for three seconds, then respond to these questions:

How many dots did you see?
How did you see the dots?
How can you represent how you saw the dots with an expression?

Click here to watch Jo Boaler facilitate a Number Talks with the same Dot Card.

Click here to view Dot Card Google Slides (to use when facilitating Number Talks).

Step Three

Click here to go through the Three Basics Google Slides.

Doubling any number
Halving any number
Getting from any number to the next larger power of ten

Step Four

Click here to review the Best Practices protocol to follow when facilitating Number Talks.

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Step Five

Optional Readings:

Digging Deeper, Making Number Talks Matter Even More

Chapter 3: Revising the Number Talks Routine, Rethinking Wait Time, pages 33−44
Chapter 6: Dot Talks, pages 65−74

Reflection Questions:

How can you make the Revised Number Talks a routine in your classroom?
In what ways does Dot Talks set the stage for Number Talks?

Click here to complete the Module One Survey by September 15, 2024.

Facilitate Dot Talks, two to three times per week, in one class, for about three weeks.

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