About the Author

Cathy Humphreys is currently a doctoral student at Stanford University, where she studies mathematics teaching and learning. She has taught grades 2-12 in the California public schools for thirty years, has worked as an instructor for the Mathematics Education Collaborative and for Math Solutions, and has served as a mathematics coach for the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative. She is thecoauthor, with Jo Boaler, ofConnecting Mathematical Ideas (Heinemann, 2005).

Ruth Parker is a former classroom teacher and has spent over 20 years leading professional development for math teachers in grades K-12. She is currently the CEO of the Mathematics Education Collaborative, preparing the next generation of mathematics teacher leaders for Washington state.

She received her master's degree and her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. "Nothing is more satisfying than watching my students develop a sense of agency, a curiosity about new mathematical ideas, and an awareness that they have mathematical ideas worth sharing," Ruth says of her love of teaching.

Ruth loves to hike, especially in the Pacific Northwest, and playing with her grandchildren.

Reviews

“This is the book I’ve been waiting for! Making Number Talks Matter provides teachers with just the right strategies and details for helping students investigate the mathematical relationships and ideas central to grades 3-10.” -Megan Franke, University of California, Los Angeles
“Mathematically powerful classrooms support students in sense-making—in exploring conjecturing, and building on ideas individually and collectively. In Making Number Talks Matter, Cathy Humphreys and Ruth Parker show how to make such exciting and productive mathematical discussions take place in your classroom. Read it, try it! –Alan Schoenfeld, University of California, Berkeley
“Inside every calculation are buried the seeds of algebra. This wonderful new book shows how to use Number Talks to grow those seeds and meet the challenges of the Common Core. Cathy and Ruth have given us a wise and practical book on how Number Talks can help solve some of the most pressing problems facing schools.” –Phil Daro, Author Team, Common Core State Standards
"The power of Number Talks to transform people's views of mathematics cannot be overestimated. The rich knowledge that Cathy and Ruth share, drawing from decades of experiences is invaluable." - Dr. Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education, Stanford University
“The power of Number Talks to transform people’s views of mathematics cannot be overestimated.” –Dr. Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education, Stanford University
“Mathematically powerful classrooms support students in sense-making—in exploring conjecturing, and building on ideas individually and collectively. In Making Number Talks Matter, Cathy Humphreys and Ruth Parker show how to make such exciting and productive mathematical discussions take place in your classroom. Read it, try it! –Alan Schoenfeld, University of California, Berkeley
“Inside every calculation are buried the seeds of algebra. This wonderful new book shows how to use Number Talks to grow those seeds and meet the challenges of the Common Core. Cathy and Ruth have given us a wise and practical book on how Number Talks can help solve some of the most pressing problems facing schools.” –Phil Daro, Author Team, Common Core State Standards