Number Talks with Kindergarten

This week's post is all about my experience with Number Talks (NT) with kindergartener and their teacher. I model NT for the new kindergarten teacher to give her an idea of how to incorporate NT in her daily routine. This week we used the tens frame and 3 dots. We started with the concept of 3 based upon the teacher's initial assessment of her students. First, I started with simple procedures(begin with the end in mind). Then we got into it. I showed three dot randomly arrange so that they know without a doubt the concept of three. We did this three different ways. After each showing, I asked them how many dots did they see. Most knew there were three dots. The next question was how did they see it. Now, here was the challenge. It is not uncommon for kindergarteners to come with limited vocabulary. The reason is that this is their first experience in a formal school setting. One of the goals in NT is to expand their vocabulary and to become deliberate in expressing the exact arrangement of the dots. The exercise lends itself for students to use words like together, separate, bottom, top, middle through questioning them.
 After the last dot arrange, I ask could they tell me how were the three dots arranged. They were able to with ease. On the second day of NT, the kindergarteners new the simple procedures like placing the fits to their chest and thumbs up when they have the answer.   I was impressed with their memory. I still need to work on agree and disagree. We continued with the three dots with different arrangements for a couple more days.
NT is effective tool to build communication skills in math. Students learn to use distinct content vocabulary as they share their thinking. Even when they are mistaken, NT lends the opportunity to allow students to figure out their mistake in a non threatening environment. This week I will continue with NT with those students and teacher with side by side training and with releasing her to continue on with her students.