Building Number Sense: The Power of Number Talk in the Classroom

Educators are introduced to Number Talks—strategies that help deepen students' number sense and mental math.

Led by our team of Instructional Strategists

Learning Path

Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026

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Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we implement Number Talks schoolwide to produce measurable gains in number sense, mental math fluency, and mathematical reasoning?

What instructional routines will ensure students consistently articulate their thinking and develop flexible, efficient problem-solving strategies?

How do we build teacher capacity to facilitate purposeful math discourse that leads to improved fluency outcomes and deeper conceptual understanding?

“Your presenters were knowledgeable and offered practical tips in how to address the standards in teaching practice. The additional support of the online tools 'including assessments and lessons' offered teachers the opportunity to work with these standards easily in their classes.”

Rebecca Moody

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Pitman Public Schools

Delivering Powerful Learning Experiences

As a result of this work

As a result of this work, educators will implement Number Talks as a regular instructional practice to strengthen students’ number sense, mental math fluency, and mathematical reasoning. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, facilitation techniques, purposeful problem sets, and visual tools that support meaningful math discussions and help students develop flexible and efficient problem-solving skills.

Workshop Description

This workshop introduces educators to the concept and implementation of Number Talks—a powerful, discussion-based instructional strategy that helps students develop mental math skills and deepen their number sense. Participants explore how short, structured conversations around computational problems enable students to clarify and share their thinking, investigate number relationships, and build efficient strategies. The session walks through the essential components of successful Number Talks including classroom norms, teacher facilitation roles, and selection of purposeful problems. Various tools and visuals are modeled to support early learners in fluency, reasoning, and flexibility with numbers.

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Designed for Today's Schools

Customized
Expert-led
In-person, virtual, or asynchronous
Standards Aligned
Research-Based
Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will confidently implement number talks to build students’ number sense, mental math fluency, and mathematical reasoning through structured, discussion-based instruction. This work supports district priorities by strengthening mathematics instruction, promoting conceptual understanding, and increasing student engagement in problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your workshops different from traditional professional development or other providers?
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Our approach goes beyond one-size-fits-all professional development. We hold ourselves to rigorous standards of quality and delivery in every client interaction, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, relevant, and impactful. We don’t just deliver workshops—we build long-term partnerships with schools and districts, working alongside educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes over time.

We actively listen to educators’ unique contexts and experiences, using that insight to collaboratively design tailored solutions rather than pre-packaged sessions. Our team asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and continuously learns so we can help redefine what’s possible in teaching and learning.

Above all, we communicate authentically, foster positive and productive relationships, and bring a deep passion and commitment to education. The result is professional learning that feels purposeful, personalized, and truly transformative.

Who are your workshops designed for?
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Our workshops are designed for educators and school leaders, including teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and district teams. Each session is tailored to the specific audience to ensure content is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.

What does a typical workshop look like?
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Our workshops are interactive, engaging, and grounded in real classroom practice. Each experience is intentionally designed using the principles of andragogy, sound instructional design, and the core constructs of effective professional development to ensure relevance, coherence, and impact. Participants engage in discussion, reflection, planning, and application activities — not just passive listening. Educators leave with concrete strategies and next steps they can implement right away.

How long are your workshops?
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We offer flexible formats, including half-day, full-day, and multi-session series. We can also design ongoing professional learning experiences to support sustained implementation over time.

What delivery methods are available for your workshops?
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We offer flexible delivery options to meet the needs of schools and districts, including in-person sessions, live virtual workshops, and asynchronous learning through our applied learning platform. Regardless of format, all experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, and collaborative, with structures that promote meaningful participation and application of learning.

What kind of follow-up support is available?
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We believe professional learning is most effective when it’s sustained. In addition to workshops, we offer instructional coaching, implementation planning, and follow-up sessions to help teams translate learning into practice and drive meaningful results.

Who facilitates the workshops?
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Inspired Instruction’s workshops are facilitated by a nationwide team of expert Instructional Strategists.  Our facilitators bring diverse experience as classroom educators, instructional coaches, principals, directors, and superintendents, spanning all content areas. We thoughtfully match your specific needs with a facilitator whose expertise aligns to ensure the learning experience is relevant, practical, and impactful for your staff.

How much does it cost to bring a workshop to my school or district?
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We offer a range of pricing options designed to meet the needs of different schools and districts. Our Client Directors work closely with you to understand your goals, scope, and budget, and will partner with you to design a high-quality professional learning experience that fits within your financial framework.

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