Lesson Plan
Math Talk Lesson Plan
Students will verbally explain and discuss addition and subtraction problems within 20, demonstrating number relationships and reasoning.
Engaging in math talk strengthens conceptual understanding, builds vocabulary, boosts confidence, and helps students articulate strategies for adding and subtracting within 20.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided talk with partner and independent practice
Materials
Number Card Set, Math Talk Prompt Cards, Treasure Map Worksheet, Sticky Notes, and Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials and Classroom
10 minutes
- Print and cut apart Number Card Set and Math Talk Prompt Cards
- Make copies of the Treasure Map Worksheet for each student
- Arrange desks or carpet space for partner talk pairs
- Review math talk norms (listening, respectful questioning, clear explanations)
Step 1
Activate Prior Knowledge
5 minutes
- Gather students on the carpet and display two number cards from Number Card Set
- Pose an addition or subtraction problem (e.g., 12 – 5) and ask: “What strategies might we use to solve this?”
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share quickly (teacher records key words on whiteboard)
Step 2
Introduce Math Talk Prompts
5 minutes
- Show Math Talk Prompt Cards and read a few examples aloud (e.g., “I noticed…, I agree with…, Another way is….”)
- Model with a volunteer: solve 8 + 7 while using a prompt (“I noticed that 8 + 7 is like 8 + 2 + 5…”)
Step 3
Partner Talk Practice
10 minutes
- Pair students and give each pair two number cards from Number Card Set
- Partners take turns solving and verbally explaining their strategy using a prompt card
- Circulate to listen, praise clear reasoning, and gently prompt any quiet students
- Formative check: note which students need extra support or modeling
Step 4
Independent Treasure Map
7 minutes
- Distribute the Treasure Map Worksheet
- Students complete three addition/subtraction paths, writing their numeric answers and a short sentence explaining one solution strategy
- Encourage use of math talk words in writing
Step 5
Closure and Exit Ticket
3 minutes
- Invite 2–3 students to share their worksheet strategy sentence aloud
- Collect worksheets as exit tickets to assess understanding of addition/subtraction within 20 and ability to articulate reasoning
Slide Deck
Math Talk: Total Treasure
Adding & Subtracting within 20 through partner discussion and independent practice
Welcome students! Introduce the focus of our Math Talk lesson. Explain that today we’ll explore addition and subtraction within 20 by talking, listening, and thinking about our strategies. We have 30 minutes—let’s have fun hunting for treasure in our number problems!
Materials Needed
• Number Card Set
• Math Talk Prompt Cards
• Treasure Map Worksheet
• Sticky Notes
• Whiteboard & Markers
Show each material and explain its purpose. “We’ll use number cards to generate problems, prompt cards to help us talk about our thinking, a treasure map worksheet to record our work, sticky notes for quick notes, and our whiteboard for modeling.”
Lesson Objective
Students will verbally explain and discuss addition and subtraction problems within 20, demonstrating number relationships and reasoning.
Read the objective aloud. Clarify key terms: verbally explain means saying your steps out loud; discuss means listening to a partner. Emphasize number relationships and reasoning.
Why Math Talk?
• Strengthens conceptual understanding
• Builds math vocabulary
• Boosts confidence
• Helps articulate solution strategies
Connect to students’ experiences. Ask: “Have you ever explained how you solved a puzzle or game? Math talk is like that!”
Math Talk Norms
• Listen respectfully to your partner
• Use kind, encouraging words
• Speak clearly and at a good volume
• Ask questions if you don’t understand
Discuss each norm. Ask volunteers to role-play following a norm and then breaking it, so students see why each one matters.
Math Talk Prompts
• “I noticed…”
• “I agree with…”
• “Another way to think about it is…”
• “My strategy was…”
Show the Math Talk Prompt Cards. Read a few aloud and model with a volunteer on the board: “I noticed that 8 + 7 is like 8 + 2 + 5…”
Partner Talk Practice
- Turn to your partner
- Each pair takes two number cards
- Take turns solving and explaining with a prompt
- Listen and respond respectfully
Pair students up. Remind them to follow norms and choose two cards from Number Card Set. Circulate to listen, praise clear explanations, and support quieter students.
Independent Treasure Map
• Complete three addition/subtraction paths
• Write your numeric answers
• Write one sentence explaining a strategy using math talk words
Hand out the Treasure Map Worksheet. Remind students they have 7 minutes. Encourage writing one clear sentence using a math talk prompt.
Closure & Exit Ticket
• Share strategy sentences (2–3 students)
• Collect worksheets as exit tickets
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their strategy sentences aloud. Collect worksheets as exit tickets to assess understanding and ability to articulate reasoning. Praise effort and listening skills!
Worksheet
Treasure Map Worksheet
X marks the spot! Follow each path to solve the math problem, write your numeric answer, and use a math talk prompt to explain one strategy you used.
Path 1
- Problem: 9 + 6 = ________
Answer: ____________ - Strategy Explanation: Write one sentence using a math talk prompt (for example, “I noticed…”, “Another way is…”, or “My strategy was…”).
Path 2
- Problem: 15 – 7 = ________
Answer: ____________ - Strategy Explanation: Write one sentence using a math talk prompt.
Path 3
- Problem: 8 + 5 = ________
Answer: ____________ - Strategy Explanation: Write one sentence using a math talk prompt.
Great work, treasure hunter! Turn in your map so we can celebrate your math discoveries.
Activity
Math Talk Prompt Cards
Use these sentence starters to guide your Math Talk discussions:
• “I noticed that ___.”
• “I agree with ___ because ___.”
• “Another way to think about it is ___.”
• “My strategy was ___.”
• “I wonder if ___.”
• “Can you explain how you ___?”
• “What if we tried ___?”
• “I have a question: ___.”
Cut these cards apart and keep them at your table for partner conversations. Encourage each other to use at least one prompt when explaining your math thinking!
Activity
Number Card Set
This set includes cards numbered 0 through 20 for generating addition and subtraction problems within 20:
• Print the cards on cardstock and cut along the borders.
• Shuffle and place face down in a tray or bag.
• Students draw two cards to create a problem (e.g., draw 8 and 13).
– Decide together: Should we add (8 + 13) or subtract (13 – 8)?
– Solve the problem verbally using a math talk prompt from Math Talk Prompt Cards.
Extensions:
• For a challenge, draw three cards to make a two-step problem (e.g., 4 + 7 – 2).
• Use blank cards to let students write their own numbers for peer-generated problems.
• Early finishers can swap cards with another pair and solve their partner’s problem.