Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Not all mathematics discussions are alike. It s one thing to ask students to share how they solved a problem, to get ideas out on the table so that theirthinking becomes visible; but knowing what to do with students ideas where to go with them can be a daunting task.Intentional Talkprovides teachers with a framework for planning and facilitating purposeful mathematics discussions that enrich and deepen student learning.
According to Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz, the critical first step is to identify a discussion s goal and then understand how to structure and facilitate the conversation to meet that goal. Through detailed vignettes from both primary and upper elementary classrooms, the authors provide a window into what teachers are thinking as they lead discussions and make important pedagogical and mathematical decisions along the way. Additionally, the authors examine students roles as both listeners and talkers and, in the process, offer a number of strategies for improving student participation and learning. A collection of planning templates included in the appendix helps teachers apply the right structure to discussions in their own classrooms.
Intentional Talkprovides the perfect bridge between student engagement and conceptual understanding in mathematical discussions.
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Synopsis
Math teachers know the first step to meaningful mathematics discussions is to ask students to share how they solved a problem and make their thinking visible; however, knowing where to go next can be a daunting task. In Intentional Talk: How to Structure and Lead Productive Mathematical Discussions, authors Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz provide teachers with a framework for planning and facilitating purposeful math talks that move group discussions to the next level while achieving a mathematical goal.
Through detailed vignettes from both primary and upper elementary classrooms, the authors provide a window into how teachers lead discussions and make important pedagogical decisions along the way. By creating equitable opportunities to share ideas, teachers can orient students to one another while enforcing that all students are sense makers and their ideas are valued. They examine students' roles as both listeners and talkers, offering numerous strategies for improving student participation.
Intentional Talk includes a collection of lesson planning templates in the appendix to help teachers apply the right structure to discussions in their own classrooms.