Simple math talks that transformed number sense in my 2nd grade classroom

I've always had a handful of 2nd grade students who memorize procedures but don't really understand why math works... Last year, I started daily "math talks". About 10 minutes where we look at a visual problem and share different solving strategies.

Yesterday, I showed a pattern of dots and asked how many there were (the discussion was amazing), one of my students grouped them by 5s, another saw 4 rows of 3, and one counted the outer ring and inner circle separately. Watching my students realize there are a few approaches to the same problem has been incredible 😊 My principal stopped by during math talks last week and now wants me to demonstrate for other 2nd grade teachers... Yay haha