Talk Moves:
Using math talk to help
students learn
March Academic Coach-Math Training
March 8, 2013
Presented by ACM:
Kim Malacara
Sarah Scifo
Milwaukee Public Schools
Talk Moves: Using Math Talk to Help Students Learn
MPS Board of School Directors
Senior Team
Dr. Michael Bonds, President
Larry Miller, Vice President
Mark Sain, District 1
Jeff Spence, District 2
Annie Woodward, District 4
Dr. Peter Blewett, District 6
David Voeltner, District 7
Meagan Holman, District 8
Terrence Falk, At-Large
Dr. Gregory Thornton, Superintendent
Naomi Gubernick, Chief of Staff
Darienne Driver, Chief Innovation Officer
Tina Flood, Interim Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Karen Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer
Michelle Nate, Chief Operations Officer
Gerald Pace, Esq., Chief Financial Officer
Anita Pietrykowski, Director, School Administration
Denise Callaway, Communications & Partnerships
Patricia Gill, Executive Director, Family Services
Sue Saller, Coordinator to the Superintendent
Learning Intention:
Success Criteria:
• We are learning to use talk
moves effectively in the
math classroom.
• We know we are successful
when we can explain,
model, and support
teachers in their strategic
use of the five productive
talk moves.
Think, Pair, Share
“Although we rarely stop to think about our
most common conversational prompts, they
are among our most important instructional
tools.”
- Chapin, S. H., O'Connor, M. C., & Anderson, N. C. (2003). Classroom discussions: Using math talk to help
students learn, grades 1-6. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions Publications.
Productive Math Talk?
Five Productive Talk Moves
- Chapin, S. H., O'Connor, M. C., & Anderson, N. C. (2003). Classroom discussions:
Using math talk to help students learn, grades 1-6. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions Publications.
1. Revoicing
2. Repeating: Asking Students to Restate
Someone Else’s Reasoning
3. Reasoning: Asking Students to Apply Their
Own Reasoning to Someone Else’s Reasoning
4. Adding On: Prompting Students for Further
Participation
5. Waiting: Using Wait Time
***Note: Everyone should read pgs. 12-13***
Talk Move
Definition of Talk Move
Looks Like:
Sounds Like:
Teacher Actions:
Teacher Actions:
Student Actions:
Student Actions:
Gallery Walk and Talk
Discuss with group members:
• What do you notice about each talk move?
• Which Math Practice Standards do you notice
align with the talk moves?
• What structures need to be in place for the
talk move to be effective?
SHARE OUT
• Review post-it suggestions
• Prepare to share out as a whole group
• Utilize graphic organizer as participants share
their talk moves
Conditions for respectful and
courteous math talk
• Every student is listening to what others say
• Every student can hear what others say
• Every student may participate by speaking out
at some point
TURN AND TALK:
• How does a coach support teachers in
establishing these ground rules?
STRATEGY CARDS
• Turn and talk
What talk move is the teacher using in your
case study vignette? Discuss the scenario
and which talk move you think the teacher is
applying.
REFLECTION
• Consider the 5 talk moves.
•Could each be useful when
you are faced with a student
contribution that is
completely unclear?
•Are some better than
others?
Learning Intention:
Success Criteria:
• We are learning to use talk
moves effectively in the
math classroom.
• We know we are successful
when we can explain,
model, and support
teachers in their strategic
use of the five productive
talk moves.