Module 5 - Activity 6: Conducting a Subtraction Number Talk

Now you will plan your own subtraction number talks and lead them in your PLC. The other PLC members will be students. As emphasized in previous activities, having a chance to practice leading number talks is one of the most important elements of learning to incorporate number talks into your teaching. Don’t just talk about what you would do - actually try it out!

  Step 1: Plan a number talk

With a partner, plan a subtraction number talk and record student ideas using an open number line as appropriate

• Create your own subtraction number talk with your partner. Choose numbers strategically to target key concepts in subtraction 
• Identify your goal for the number talk.
• Predict the different strategies that children might use to find the solution. Consider strategies that lead to a right answer and also strategies that lead to a wrong answer.
• Practice how you will record these different strategies, especially using an open number line.

  Step 2: Conduct a 3-4 minute number talk 

• Each partnership should perform a number talk using the rest of the group as students as demonstrated in the videos in the previous activity. 
• Begin your talk by asking “What did you get?” and then “How did you get it?”
• Practice recording strategies on the board (like you would in a real classroom)
• Other PLC members should act as students - use your experience with students to approximate how they would respond. The goal is to work on recording strategies, so don’t focus on student behavior issues.
• Try to stay “in character” for the whole number talk.

  Step 3: Reflect on the experience of leading the number talks.

With your PLC discuss:

• • What went well?
  • What surprised you?
  • What did you learn about listening to and recording student ideas?