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The children used mental strategies during their dot talk and confidently explained their thinking to the whole class.

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Dot talk with the 3rd graders

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Using simple multiplication

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Visual illustration took long but she was clear, we spoke about adapting to most efficient method

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Grade 5 sharing multiple strategies on how they counted the dots

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My anticipation:

Students may see 3 + 2 + 3 = 8 (top, middle, bottom rows).

Some may group the dots into 4 + 4 = 8 by seeing halves.

Others might count each dot one by one.

Actual Student Responses:

I saw 3 on top, 2 in the middle, and 3 down so it makes 8.

I saw 4 on the left and 4 on the right.

I counted all the dots slowly 1, 2, 3… till 8.

I made 2 groups of 4 because they looked like squares.

These responses showed different mathematical thinking and grouping strategies.

Class Norms Emphasized

Everyone’s ideas are important.

We listen carefully and don’t interrupt.

We explain our thinking clearly and respectfully.

These norms helped create a safe space where all students including the quieter ones felt confident sharing.

How I Recorded Strategies Neutrally

I drew the dot image on the board.

As students shared, I visually represented their strategy beside their name.

I avoided saying correct or wrong. Instead, I said, that’s an interesting way to see it. I see how you grouped them differently.

This kept the tone neutral and focused on mathematical reasoning, not right or wrong answers.

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Students Responses (6 Dots)

Simple counting- I see 6 Dots

Horizontal/rows - 3 on top 3 on the bottom

Grouping - 3 pairs of 2 dots

Zigzag - Saw the dots in a zigzag

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Students Responses (5 Dots)

Grouping - 2 on the top 2 in the bottom & 1 in the middle

Simple counting - 5 dots

Vertical - 2 on each side and 1 in the middle

Visual pattern - Saw a cross shape

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Students were shown a dot card with a 6 dots pattern. Student's responses were as follow: Top to bottom, left to right, right to left, grouping, zigzag.