--- title: Building Math Discourse [Free Puzzle Talk Lesson] description: Free resource to bring math discourse into the classroom. image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/puzzle-talk-james-d-ma.jpeg --- [![](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND-logo-2018.jpg?width=1701&height=623&name=MIND-logo-2018.jpg)](http://www.mindresearch.org/) [![mind logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-color2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) [![mind white logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-white2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) - [Our Approach](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-approach) - [Why MIND?](https://2024.mindresearch.org/why-math-education) - [Our Research](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-research) - [Our Patents](https://2024.mindresearch.org/patents) - [Our Impact](https://2024.mindresearch.org/impact) - [Our Partners](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partners) - [Partner Stories](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partner-stories) - Our Programs - [ST Math](http://www.stmath.com/) - [InsightMath](http://www.insightmath.com/) - [MathMINDs](https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds) - [Life at MIND](https://2024.mindresearch.org/careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog) - [Math Discourse](https://2024.mindresearch.org/puzzletalks) - [Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) - [News](https://2024.mindresearch.org/news) - [Activities](https://2024.mindresearch.org/stem-resources) - [Donate](https://store.mindresearch.org/pages/donate) **Student privacy****:** learn more about our commitment to keeping students safe [Read More](https://www.mindresearch.org/privacy-policy) ![MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/graphics/headers/_blog-headers/MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png?width=2000&height=667&name=MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png "MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5") Category Community Teaching & Learning Technology & Games Research & Outcomes Neuroscience Celebrations & Successes [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70) [Teaching & Learning](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/teaching-learning) # Building Math Discourse \[Free Puzzle Talk Lesson\] By [Calli Wright](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/author/calli-wright) - - - - - [mailto:?subject=Building%20Math%20Discourse%20[Free%20Puzzle%20Talk%20Lesson]&body=Building%20Math%20Discourse%20[Free%20Puzzle%20Talk%20Lesson]%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/math-discourse-free-puzzle-talk-lesson](mailto:?subject=Building%20Math%20Discourse%20[Free%20Puzzle%20Talk%20Lesson]&body=Building%20Math%20Discourse%20[Free%20Puzzle%20Talk%20Lesson]%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/math-discourse-free-puzzle-talk-lesson) - There are many ways educators are bringing mathematical discourse into the classroom. You may have heard these lessons called number talks, math talks, and puzzle talks, but they have several elements in common. 1. An inviting problem or puzzle that intrigues students 2. Asking students to justify and defend their mathematical thinking 3. Asking students to critique the reasoning of others 4. Creating math conversations in the classroom 5. Building number sense These goals align with what the [standards for mathematical practices](https://blog.mindresearch.org/blog/coding-mathematical-practices) ask for academic discourse: construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Many math curriculums and tools are incorporating math discourse directly into their programs to address these standards for mathematical practices. In this blog, we’ll focus on puzzle talks. The use of [ST Math](https://www.stmath.com/) puzzles to lead a whole group or small group short conversation are what we call puzzle talks. Similar to number talks or math talks, the goal is to get students to communicate and deepen their understanding of mathematics. ![puzzle-talk-james-d-ma](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/puzzle-talk-james-d-ma.jpeg?width=1200&name=puzzle-talk-james-d-ma.jpeg) Puzzle talks allow educators to leverage the power of the visual models and manipulatives inherent in ST Math and use language to support the learning experience. No matter what name you call them by, many educators see the benefits after incorporating these mini lessons into their [math class structure](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/math-class-structure-conceptual-learning), including: - building confidence, - number sense, - and flexibility with numbers. ## Tips for Facilitating a Puzzle Talk Puzzle talks begin with an intriguing visual puzzle. All students may know is that the goal is to get JiJi (the penguin) across the screen. The first task then is to determine what is going on. Ask students, "What do you notice?" The low barrier to entry on these first questions allows all student the opportunity to engage in the conversation and build confidence. > First graders doing a puzzle talk today. Reading the clues on the screen like a detective then sharing our thoughts and ideas. This was a great opportunity to use our measurement vocabulary as well. [@STMath](https://twitter.com/STMath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@covemathcoach](https://twitter.com/covemathcoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/lLnAJIFHJF](https://t.co/lLnAJIFHJF) > > — Heather Gerrard (@fabinfirst\_cove) [April 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/fabinfirst_cove/status/1112823815057358849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #### Facilitating Questions Examples: - What do you notice? - What would happen if…? - What do you already know that could help you here? - Why did you choose/do that? - What would you try differently? Teachers who use ST Math already may notice a striking similarity to the [Facilitating Questions](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/stmath-facilitating-questions-poster.pdf) guide! ## Free Puzzle Talk from ST Math This free puzzle talk lesson is available to all teachers! If your school has ST Math, you have access to [recommended puzzle talks](https://help.stmath.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039232373-Puzzle-Talks) for Kindergarten through middle school, and a lesson planner to help you create your own puzzle talks. Even if you don’t have ST Math, you can use the puzzle talk below, ideal for third or fourth grade, along with our free JiJi Cycle game in your classroom! [![gif-jiji-cycle-st-math-game](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/gif-jiji-cycle-st-math-game.gif?width=1040&name=gif-jiji-cycle-st-math-game.gif)](https://www.stmath.com/games/jiji-cycle) #### Puzzle Talk Tips 1. Print out the [Puzzle Talk Guide.](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/st-math-puzzle-talk-jiji-cycle.pdf) 2. Go to [JiJi Cycle](https://www.stmath.com/play/jiji-cycle?hsCtaTracking=9292a837-a260-4719-ba28-4a4b3d7131a2%7Cd16b52a7-6592-4be9-ac71-ff02eda3042f) (one of the freely available games from ST Math) and share your screen with your class or a small group. 3. Have students talk about everything that they notice before beginning to solve it. This helps them make sense of the problem so they can persevere in problem solving. 4. Give students time to problem solve before asking more questions. This will encourage students not to just wait for the faster students to give the answer. 5. Use the guided questions to facilitate conversation as you work to solve the puzzle as a group. 6. Don’t be afraid to put in many incorrect answers. There are an unlimited number of tries on these puzzles, and the animation of JiJi (the penguin) will give students informative feedback that shows the results of their solution and why it was incorrect. 7. Celebrate success when you accomplish the puzzles! > When an ST Math puzzle talk comes to life with hands-on tools and Kindergarteners! [@STMath](https://twitter.com/STMath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@Cvillebeavers](https://twitter.com/Cvillebeavers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/6y9EepY18r](https://t.co/6y9EepY18r) > > — Kate Twombly (@cvillelitcoach) [February 13, 2019](https://twitter.com/cvillelitcoach/status/1095756439820423168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [![puzzle-talk-jiji-cycle-ss](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/puzzle-talk-jiji-cycle-ss.png?width=300&name=puzzle-talk-jiji-cycle-ss.png)](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/st-math-puzzle-talk-jiji-cycle.pdf) [![Download Puzzle Talk](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/1f9d2577-35e8-4230-9a6e-6ebeabd2f10a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/1f9d2577-35e8-4230-9a6e-6ebeabd2f10a) Puzzle talks are just one way ST Math is supporting teachers in bringing math discourse into the classroom. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon about additional resources and built-in features to get students communicating and deepening their understanding of mathematics! ![Calli Wright](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Authors/calli-wright-board-games.jpg) ### About the Author Calli Wright was the Marketing Manager at MIND Research Institute. She loves playing and designing board games, which she often talks about on twitter [@CalliWrights](https://twitter.com/CalliWrights). ### Comment #### [Empowering Mathematics Communities at NCSM and NCTM](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/empowering-mathematics-communities-at-ncsm-and-nctm) [Waddle You Do To Celebrate JiJi Day?](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/ways-to-celebrate-jiji-day) ### Search Result By: ![feature image](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/Inside-our-Minds-logo-teal-800x800.png) [Featured Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/featured-podcast) ### [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) [Listen Now](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) ##### LATEST PODCAST EPISODES ###### BY MIND RESEARCH INSTITUTE - [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) - [People, Process, and Penguins: Designing Math Experiences](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/people-process-penguins) - [Bridging STEM Gaps with STEMconnector CEO Jo Webber](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bridging-stem-gaps-with-stemconnector-ceo-jo-webber) - [The EdTech Genome Project: Talking Implementation with Elizabeth Birie](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/edtech-genome-project) - [From Meeting the Moment to Foundational Change](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/from-meeting-the-moment-to-foundational-change) ##### [See all podcasts](https://www.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) ## Interested in Contributing? 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