Number Talks in the Primary Classroom

Number Talks in the Primary Classroom is a practical guide designed to help teachers build strong mathematical thinkers through short, focused classroom conversations. Written by Kathy Richardson and Sue Dolphin, this comprehensive resource shows educators how to make number talks an integral part of their daily math routine, fostering deep understanding and confidence in students.

Kathy Richardson is known for her deep understanding of how children develop number sense and mathematical thinking. This requires a sequence of learning phases, which are incorporated in her assessment program, Assessing Math Concepts, and her curriculum, Developing Number Concepts. Now, Richardson and co-author Sue Dolphin have created this resource to help teachers incorporate number talks that support these foundational ideas and build connections to key math concepts.

Divided into Instructional Ranges—beginning with Recognizing Small Groups and extending to Addition and Subtraction of Two-Digit Numbers—each range includes 18–20 number talk activities. Teachers learn how to use models, questions, and experiences to support children's mathematical development. These 5–15 minute daily routines are a powerful tool to help students develop computational fluency and communicate their mathematical thinking with confidence.

• Builds Mathematical Reasoning – Encourages flexible thinking, justification of solutions, and multiple strategies.


• Promotes Mathematical Communication – Engages students in meaningful math discussions that strengthen understanding.


• Teacher-Friendly Framework – Includes clear guidance, structured lessons, and discussion prompts.


• Aligned with Key Standards – Supports development of number sense, operations, and computational fluency.


• Organized by Instructional Ranges – From early counting concepts to two-digit addition and subtraction.


• Classroom-Tested Resource – Created by trusted math educators Kathy Richardson and Sue Dolphin.

448 pages.

Download the cards used in Number Talks here.