“When we press beyond procedural explanations into explanations that include reasoning, we are supporting students in justifying their ideas.” Intentional Talk (Kazemi/Hintz)
When you are planning instruction, how often do you consider the sound of your mathematics instruction and the conversations you want your students to engage in? If you answered not often, then Intentional Talk by Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz might radically change the way you plan.
Math is no longer a spectator sport. We know that to truly develop mathematical thinking, students need to be active participants–they should be doing math and talking about math. This dramatically changes the role of both student and teacher. The teacher becomes a facilitator, rather than a giver of knowledge, while students drive the work and the conversations. Intentional Talk provides a road-map for that change.
If you have tried incorporating accountable talk in your classroom, then you know it is easier said than done. To focus your efforts, the authors outline four guiding principles of classroom discussions in the Introduction and differentiate between Open Strategy Sharing and five targeted structures, each with its own goal and talk moves.
- Compare and Connect
- Why? Let’s Justify
- What’s Best and Why?
- Define and Clarify
- Troubleshoot and Revise
Thanks for this suggestion! I’ve been working awhile on ratio and “economy of language” – less teach-talk, more student-talk. Now that I’ve got a better ratio, I’m ready to increase the intentional talk. This book looks terrific! Thanks again, Jen
I love that you are looking at it from a ratio perspective, Jen! We’re always told to set goals that are measurable, and you nailed it. You’ll love the book! 🙂
Does this book span the grades or is it more elementary focused?
Hi, Donna,
I am very interested in purchasing this book and reading it, too, but have you also read “Making Number Talks Matter”? I can buy both to study, but I was wondering if you had opinions between the two. Thanks!