What is Number Sense?

Number Sense is the ability to compose and decompose numbers, and to think flexibly about numbers in order to make estimates and solve problems.

Marilyn Burns describes students with strong number sense as being "able to think and reason flexibly with numbers, use numbers to solve problems, spot unreasonable answers, understand how numbers can be taken apart and put together in different ways, see connections among operations, figure mentally, and make reasonable estimates."

What are Number Talks?

Number Talks are short 5 to 10 minute conversations with students that are designed to develop number sense. Teachers that have used Number Talks have found that all students can participate and are excited to see that all students are capable of learning very sophisticated ideas about numbers. Teachers that successfully integrate Number Talks in their classroom describe a certain joy when teaching math that they have never seen before. This joy is shared by the teacher performing the Number Talk as well as the joy students have when they are allowed to be creative and share their thinking.

Burns, Marilyn. About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource. 3rd ed. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions, 2007.