Thinking Classroom
What is Building Thinking Classrooms?
Building Thinking Classrooms is a framework for organizing your classroom involving 14 principles used to help teachers structure their math classes around student thinking.
It is based on the research of Peter Liljedahl who writes
"a thinking classroom is ... a space that is inhabited by thinking individuals as well as individuals thinking collectively, learning together, and constructing knowledge and understanding through activity and discussion. It is a space wherein the teacher not only fosters thinking but also expects it, both implicitly and explicitly." *
This framework relies on students working in visibly random groups on vertical non-permanent surfaces (such as vertical whiteboards).
The Thinking Classroom Framework
This sketchnote was made by Laura Wheeler based on Peter's Liljedahl's research.
More Information
Check out this article with a summary of Building Thinking Classrooms written by Peter Liljedahl.
Many of the prompts and tasks within the K-12 Math Task Collection lend themselves well to the Thinking Classroom framework.
Here are additional resources:
Peter Liljedahl's site buildingthinkingclassrooms.com includes an overview of the framework, slide decks of his presentaitons, recordings of interviews, and Peter's blog
Laura's Wheeler's sketchnotes summarize the research behind Visibly Random Groups and Vertical Non-Permanent Surfaces
Peter's Liljedahl's professional website contains lists of good problems, numeracy tasks and other resources
Judy Larsen's website contains thinking classroom prompts for K-5
Borrow the book Building Thinking Classrooms (Peter Liljedahl) from the board office, or your high school math department
PD via Twitter: @pgliljedahl, @JudytaLarsen, @AlexOverwijk, @wheeler_laura, @MaryBourassa, @thinkingclssrms, #thinkingclassroom, #vnps, #vrg
Avaialble webinars and podcasts for self-directed learning:
Make Math Moments Podcast interview with Peter: first part in episode #21 and second part in episode #98
Watch this webinar with Peter explaining the Building Thinking Classrooms framework
Check out the sample classroom videos below where students are engaging in Thinking Classrooms.
Time Lapse
Classroom Panorama
Collaboration
Explaining Thinking in Primary
