Math Talks 

A Math Talk is a 10-minute activity designed to elicit multiple strategies and provide opportunities for scholars to reason about the relationships in the numbers and make connections in mathematics. Math Talks are a powerful teaching tool. They are a teacher-led, but student-centered technique for building math thinking and discourse. Math Talks can be centered around any math topic. However, they are not used to introduce Math Content. They are best when the content is generally familiar to scholars. They serve to further understanding of Math Content while addressing Math Practice Standards.

Math Talk Overview for implementation:

• teacher deliberately sets up a safe environment where each child’s thinking is valued

• students practice making their thinking explicit

• everyone practices understanding each others' thinking

Math Talks – The Steps 

Math talks usually last about 10 minutes and are conducted 2 to 3 times per week

1. Teacher presents the problem.

2. Scholars figure out the answer.  

3. Scholars share their answers.

4. Scholars share their thinking. 

Click here to access a PowerPoint with 90 math talks for middle school scholars.

Examples of  Math Talks:

Example 1:

If you need assistance in implementing Math Talks into your classroom, do not hesitate to contact math@apslearns.org