How do number talks contribute to 5th grade students’ feelings about mathematics and support their mathematical confidence?
The questions encouraged students to reflect on their experiences during number talks and expanded on the survey by delving into how specific aspects of number talks, such as peer interactions and multiple strategies, impacted their confidence and feelings about math.
The data I gathered from the interviews gave me a better understanding of how number talks affected 5th-grade students' feelings about math and their confidence in solving problems. By listening to students explain how they felt when sharing their ideas, making mistakes, and hearing others’ strategies, I could see which parts of number talks helped them feel more comfortable with math. The interviews helped me learn whether talking through math problems with classmates made students feel more confident. This data added detail to the survey results, showing how different students, based on their initial confidence levels, responded to number talks. Overall, the interviews provided real examples of how number talks changed students’ confidence and helped answer my research question.
Question 1: How do you feel when you solve a math problem correctly during number talks?
Follow-up: Can you describe a time when number talks made you feel more confident in math?
Question 2: When you’re in a number talk discussion, do you feel comfortable sharing your ideas with the class?
Follow-up: What makes it easier or harder for you to share your thinking?
Question 3: Has participating in number talks changed how you feel about math? If yes, in what way?
Follow-up: Do you think number talks help you understand math better? Why or why not?
Question 4: Do you think you’ve become more confident in math since starting number talks? How?
Follow-up: What part of number talks helps you feel more confident?
Question 5: Can you explain how you feel when you make a mistake during number talks? Does talking about it with your classmates help?
Follow-up: How does hearing other students’ ideas affect how you think about solving math problems?
Question 6: Do you find that working with different strategies in number talks helps you understand math better? Why or why not?
Follow-up: How do you feel about trying different ways to solve a problem, even if you’re not sure it’s right?
Question 7: When you hear other students explain their math strategies, does it help you feel more confident about your own ideas?
Follow-up: Follow-up: How does seeing different approaches in number talks affect the way you solve problems?
Question 8: Can you talk about how you feel after a number talk compared to before? Has your confidence changed during that time?
Follow-up: Do you feel more confident in math after having a chance to talk through problems with your classmates?