Mathematical Number Talks

04/05/2026

Number Talks is such a versatile strategy that the content doesn’t really matter. Here’s an example, what do you notice? What do you wonder? What connections can you make?

No matter what number you think of, it’s always closer to zero than infinity, a simple yet profound insight into mathematics and scale.

Numbers extend infinitely, but every value we encounter, even the largest, is minuscule compared to true infinity.

This perspective helps us understand limits, calculus, and the vastness of the mathematical universe, showing how finite quantities relate to unbounded extremes.

In physics and cosmology, the concept of infinity appears in black holes, the universe’s size, and energy scales, reminding us that our measurements are always dwarfed by the limitless.

Reflecting on zero versus infinity shows how small our everyday numbers are compared to the endless possibilities of mathematics, space, and the quantum world.

04/05/2026

What do you notice? What do you wonder? What connections can you make?

02/09/2026

I love that images like this go viral. Talking about math is important and fun! There is a correct answer. More importantly, there are rules that govern everything we do in mathematics. Most importantly we can be kind to everyone in the comments. 😉

09/28/2025

Love everything about this! What do you notice? What do you wonder? What connections can you make?

08/10/2025

This made me smile today. Iykyk. What do you notice? What do you wonder? What questions do you have?

12/11/2024

And here’s your gold star! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

12/09/2024

One of my favorite professional developments to deliver is on Game Play in Mathematics. Playing games has been shown to increase confidence and competence, but games are not a part of most classroom’s regular mathematics practice world wide. Why aren’t more games played in math classrooms?

10/19/2024

The Number Talks process is the most impactful instructional strategy I have ever used in over 20 years of being in classrooms. We can use the same process learned and refined during a Number Talk to discuss things besides number problems.

Here’s one example. What do you notice? What do you wonder? What stands out to you?

04/12/2024

A bar graph of how much a door has been painted. Math in real life! 🤣