Structures for Mathematical Discussions: Why do we want to have students engage in the practice of Turn and Talk on a regular basis? Please share your ideas and read about your colleagues’ ideas on the "Turn and Talk" Padlet. by Matthew Dorneman

Charlotte de Kerillis

2025-04-04 19:25:21 UTC

Quiet think time is essential for student learning because it allows for deeper processing, builds confidence, and promotes inclusion. Not all students can create responses instantly, and a brief pause gives them time to organize their thoughts, leading to higher-quality answers. It ensures all voices have a chance to be heard. By allowing 30 seconds to a minute of silence, educators create an environment where students can engage more thoughtfully and meaningfully.

Think Time

2025-04-04 19:59:37 UTC

Time to process is important for many of our students to gather and organize their thoughts as well as deeply think about the question posed. I agree that this is an inclusive practice and is beneficial for all learners.

Quiet Think Time

kdunches2_2 — 2025-04-05 12:39:51 UTC

By providing students with the time to process their thoughts, teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students feel comfortable contributing.

Quiet Think Time

2025-04-06 01:25:38 UTC

-gives everyone a "fair chance" to solve the problem, organize thoughts, etc.

-can force quick-thinking students to slow down and think beyond the answer

-can relieve some of the pressure of those kids who take longer to process

Think Time

2025-04-06 22:55:43 UTC

It sends a subtle message to students that we want to hear what ALL of them have to say, not just the quickest thinkers.

I agree with what everyone else said, as well!

Quiet think time

lschmuck5 — 2025-04-07 02:02:59 UTC

This allows all students a chance to process and form their own ideas. They are not rushing to give a quick basic answer, just to be the first one to raise their hand and then get called on. Instead, the emphasis on quiet think time also promotes deeper level thinking and creates a more meaningful discussion. Students are more comfortable sharing and realize all voices are important and will be heard.

Think Time

2025-04-07 12:17:10 UTC

"Quiet Think Time" allows students a chance to process their thoughts; therefore allowing more students to fully participate. It helps relieve student anxiety that they will be call on immediately or put on the spot before they have had a chance to gather their thoughts/ideas.

TFES K- Think Time

2025-04-07 12:53:01 UTC

Think time allows students the "gift a time". It promotes an inclusive classroom climate, as it allows all students access to equitable processing time and opportunities for deeper thinking. The practice of think time engages all learners as accountable and active participants throughout a lesson. Turn and talk that follows think time creates a classroom dynamic that values math discourse, collaborative thinking with peers, and student voice.

Think Time

2025-04-07 13:29:05 UTC

Providing quiet “think time” allows students to deepen their understanding of the question, and encourages independent thinking. It also helps reduce pressure and anxiety, and levels the playing field for all learners!

FWES 1st Grade Quiet Think Time

2025-04-07 21:37:04 UTC

Quiet think time is so important!

In primary grades, we want to reinforce the important skill of slowing down, taking our time, and having the self-control to think before we speak/act in all areas of learning
All learners have the chance to think before the answer/solution is shared
With their idea already created, students can think more critically about the ideas of others and contribute to discussion
Promotes a positive classroom environment where all voices are valued

Think time

2025-04-09 22:54:21 UTC

In addition to what everyone else said, think time also helps hold all students accountable. It sends the message that you're not just going to call on the fastest or first hands that go up. Paired with partner sharing, it also allows students the chance to process their thinking verbally.

Add Turn and Talk ideas to this section of the Padlet

mdornema3 — 2025-04-23 15:42:54 UTC

Turn and Talk

2025-04-25 17:29:24 UTC

I love the Turn and Talk to involve all learners in focused math conversations. Our students get to practice mathematical dialogue as they also navigate how to agree or respectfully disagree with each other which is a life skill.

Turn & Talk

2025-04-27 18:47:14 UTC

-attempts to engage all students

-provides ways to look at things from different perspectives

-develops ELA skills of speaking and listening

-puts more responsibility on Ss to learn (instead of waiting on the T to give them the answer)

TFES K Team- Turn and Talk

2025-04-30 14:34:01 UTC

We use turn and talk to encourage additional thinking time and participation. It increases student engagement, especially with students who typically don't raise their hands. It also holds students accountable as active participants in the discussion. Math discourse is further supported and deeper thinking is initiated through turning and talking with peers.