Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference

Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) has revolutionized the way we engage students in deep mathematical thinking. But how do we align BTC practices with district-adopted curriculum resources? Too often, we default to a “one-size-fits-all” approach when what we really need is “one-size-fits-each.” In this session, we will guide participants through practical strategies for adapting unit and lesson plans that honor both the structure of a district curriculum and the core principles of BTC. Whether you're navigating pacing guides, mandated resources, or diverse student needs, you'll gain insights into lesson planning that fosters thinking, flexibility, and student-centered learning. Walk away with tools to transform any curriculum into a dynamic, thinking-centered experience for all learners.

How can we focus on the verbing of mathematics during the Launch, Body and Closing of a math lesson? Lets look at how we can craft hands-on experiences with the use of linear, set and area models within the building thinking classroom framework. We will chat about how we can center on change and motion while we play with structure and then name it in a Thinking Classroom.

In this session I will both highlight and demonstrate the teaching methodology I call "Histematics" which is essentially the use of history to teach mathematics and the use of mathematics to teach history. This is an attempt to decompartmentalize academic disciplines and increase intrinsic student engagement with mathematics by adding cultural relevancy as well as a more interesting storytelling aspect to math instruction. Black History exemplars and events will be used to teach math topics.

This session will provide participants with strategies and resources to integrate social justice and mathematics to provide equitable and culturally relevant instruction. Participants will be provided with resources to understand how social issues are historical, and reform involves problem-solving through mathematics. Participants can take what they learn to build community within their classrooms with their diverse student populations.