Routine: Image Talks are short routines based on a photo or series of photos of everyday objects. Display the image and ask "How many are there?" and "How do you see them?" Image talks that use everyday objects allow all students entry into the situation and allow students to problematize the situations. Students can access their prior knowledge and use related vocabulary in conversation during image talks.
Routine: Tool Talks are short routines based on a photo or series of photos of mathematics tools or manipulatives. Tool Talks allow students to connect the meaning-making they've been doing within a context of image talks to slightly more abstract math tools. Combining models and real life situations allows students to construct a deeper understanding of mathematics. Display the image and ask "How many are there?" and "How do you see them?"