Lesson Plan

Personal Number Talk Plan

Guide a 5th grader through a focused 20-minute number talk that builds number sense, helps the student articulate strategies, and develops emotional resilience through reflection and celebration.

Combining academic and SEL skills strengthens math fluency, fosters strategic thinking, and equips the student to manage frustration, boosting confidence and engagement in math.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

2 minutes

Step 2

SEL Frustration Check-In

3 minutes

Step 3

Number Talk Prompt

5 minutes

Step 4

Guided Discussion

5 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Celebration

3 minutes

Step 6

Cool-Down Progress Pebble

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Guiding Questions Visuals

Introduce this slide deck to the student. Explain that these visuals will guide your conversation as they solve the problem.

Math Challenge

Display the problem clearly. Give the student quiet thinking time before asking them to share their solution on the whiteboard.

Talk It Through

Ask the student to verbalize their thought process. Prompt them gently if they pause or seem stuck.

Dig Deeper

Encourage the student to compare strategies or invent new ones. Celebrate all correct thinking.

Reflect & Grow

Connect back to feelings and growth. Bridge into the reflection journal prompts.

Lesson Plan

Personal Number Talk Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

Step 2

SEL Frustration Check-In

Step 3

Number Talk Prompt

Step 4

Guided Discussion

Step 5

Reflection and Celebration

Step 6

Cool-Down Progress Pebble

Slide Deck

Guiding Questions Visuals

Math Challenge

Talk It Through

Dig Deeper

Reflect & Grow

Script

Journal

Cool Down

Number Talks Unleashed

Carolyn Taylor