Talking with students about math

• Math is not about speed!! Fluency with math is about accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility. Focus on reasoning and problem solving.
• Encourage your students. If they are wrong, try to find the logic behind their thinking. Use what they say and what they are thinking to help them on the right path.
• Never tell your students you are/were bad at math!
• Don't force the math. If you or your student are getting frustrated, stop! Do a puzzle, play a game, talk, but don't keep pushing against a brick wall! Take a break from the problem and come back to it fresh.
• HAVE FUN! Explore together. Follow your curiosities. Hear each other's ideas. Play games. Do logic and math puzzles. Just have fun!

Notice/Wonder

Notice: Look at an image, problem, or challenge and discuss the things you notice. Gather as many ideas as you can. Listen to everyone's ideas and celebrate the different ways we all see things.

Wonder: Discuss what you wonder. Create your own problems from your wonderings. Explore new ideas, follow new paths!

This strategy is a great way to start any discussion, not just math. Notice and wonder about a story from the front cover. Look at pictures from history. Look at pictures from nature. Talk about science ideas. There's so much you can do and learn!