Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference

In this out-of-this-world, engaging, and interactive session we will explore the phases of the moon through the lens of a thinking classroom! This workshop is designed to foster curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking as we investigate the moon’s motion and presentations. This workshop is perfect for educators across grade levels who are interested in making science more engaging, interactive, and thought-provoking rather than simply a body of knowledge. Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas and renewed excitement for teaching science. Don’t miss this chance to launch your teaching practices to new heights — you’ll be over the moon with ideas!

Participants will explore the concept of "Student Rights" as a framework for structuring learning environments in mathematics classrooms. They will apply these rights specifically to hinge points—key moments in the lesson where students demonstrate partial understanding or new insights that can benefit all students with purposeful observation and discussion. These hinge points provide a unique opportunity for teachers to support student thinking and keep the lesson moving in a productive, engaging direction.

Discover how Thinking Classrooms provide the perfect environment to develop the Mathematical Practices (MPs) or processes, which bring mathematical content to life. In this session, we’ll explore how rich math tasks naturally promote the MPs, making them visible and actionable in your classroom. Experience hands-on examples of these tasks, reflect on how they support students in thinking mathematically, and learn strategies to better identify and foster the MPs during teaching. Join us to deepen your understanding of the MPs within a Thinking Classroom and leave with practical insights to enhance your students’ mathematical growth.

Have you been wondering how to implement BTC with your diverse population? What about students way below grade level? Multilingual students? Those with disabilities? What about shy or reluctant learners? How do you handle grouping students who were in a fight last week? You name it, we’ve seen it. Come to this session to get practical strategies on addressing some of the most common issues that arise when beginning to implement BTC.

Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) offers a powerful framework to support students who struggle with math by helping teachers create and foster equitable, student-centered learning environments. This session focuses on adapting BTC strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with IEPs, neurodivergent students, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants will explore practical approaches to fostering engagement and collaboration, practice identifying and mobilizing student assets, and engage in deep thinking while addressing barriers to access. Join us to discover how intentional math supports can empower all students to thrive in and enjoy their mathematical journeys.