Puzzle Talks: 

• Engage students in discussion using the Problem Solving Process

• Focus on discussing the mathematics not simply teaching the puzzle

• Focus on strategies students use to solve the problems

• Focus on identifying and connecting math concepts

Puzzle Talks: What Are They?

Discourse should. . .

• be student-led and facilitated by the tutor (facilitate through the process by using the prompts, I see, I know, etc.) to think through puzzles and help with the appropriate mathematical language.  
• promote, deepen, and support student thinking as they grapple with concepts and build understanding.
• give students the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
• hold students accountable for their thinking, not just giving correct answers.

Puzzle Talks: Promoting Discourse

Puzzle Talk: Lesson Preparation

Review the ST Math Camp: Journey Lesson Plan for the Grade needed and:

1. View the Game in a Minute video for the puzzle
2. Play the puzzles 
3. Review the closure questions  

Puzzle Talk: Lesson Preparation

Game in a Minute Videos provide an overview of the puzzles that make up the game sequence.

Puzzle Talk: Lesson Preparation

Link to the Puzzle - It is recommend teachers play the ST Math puzzles themselves before engaging students in a Puzzle Talk. This will help anticipate the mathematics that students will bring to the conversation during the Problem Solving Process.

Puzzle Talk: Lesson Preparation

The Daily Lesson Plan provides:

• Directions for the Puzzle Talk 
• Puzzle Talk Closure Question

• Facilitate student thinking using the Problem Solving Process.
• Position students as authors of their learning by asking questions to help them think through the problems.
• Support the development of the lesson objective through discussions.

Puzzle Talk Moves

Puzzle Talk: Look For

• Every Puzzle Talk begins by giving students access. What do you see? (I see…)

• Use the Problem-Solving Process to facilitate student thinking and promote math learning.

• Be sure to discuss student strategies, test them, discuss the feedback, and what was learned from it.

Puzzle Talk: Supports

Problem Solving Facilitation Bookmark

Puzzle Talk: Example

Watch the video of a teacher conducting a Puzzle Talk. Notice how she uses the Problem Solving Process to make her students' thinking visible and supports them with language to help them communicate their ideas.

The End 

A few things to remember: 

• As students share their thinking, use the opportunity to make vocabulary connections. Capture the vocabulary words on a whiteboard or paper, or annotate on the screen.
• Be sure to discuss strategies and solutions that are incorrect. What was learned from using those strategies and solutions?
• Make use of the puzzle controls in order to use the visuals to support the conversation.