Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference

Are your teachers thinking of BTC as “one more thing” to add to their plate? Are leaders feeling as if there isn’t any time to train teachers in BTC? Come brainstorm common challenges for implementing BTC and strategies to overcome those challenges. Hear how a math specialist has implemented BTC practices from the ground up in a way that inspires teachers to grow their BTC practice. Participants will leave with ideas that empower teachers and leverage teacher collegiality as they grow within their BTC journey.

Join us as we participate in a task and then work on our own together to reflect on how to help students know where they are instead of who they are.  We will think about assessment throughout the launch, body and focus on research-based improvements on assessment during the closing part of the lesson as well as navigating the paradigm shift of letting go of early not knowing when reporting out based on data (not points).

Students are natural problem solvers with rich experiences that shape their thinking. In this session, we'll explore fun, engaging tasks to spark curiosity and promote collaboration. Be ready to embrace productive struggle and find joy in mathematics. The strategies and tasks shared can be used immediately, helping to develop confident problem solvers. We will utilize Peter Liljedahl's "Building Thinking Classrooms" practices to position students as experts and strengthen their math identities.

Participants will explore how thin-sliced tasks can transform group work in a thinking classroom. Rooted in BTC practices, this session will present a framework for crafting thin-sliced questions that guide groups through sequenced problem-solving activities. Drawing on research, including the presenter’s findings, participants will learn how to create tasks that maintain cognitive flow, encourage autonomy, and deepen mathematical understanding.

BTC can be chaotic not only for the teacher but for the student as well. Come with us on our journey of turning our curriculum into a BTC friendly model. Participants will learn methods on how to use their curriculum to organize chaos, empower students, and foster mathematical thinking. We hope to inspire those new to the BTC model and provide solutions to those that want more organization during the launch, explore, and closure sections of the lesson, as well as how we are using Peter’s newest research to refine our practices. Participants will experience a short lesson where we model what a BTC lesson looks like in our classroom.

Change doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives through collaboration. In this session, a teacher and coach share their journey of professional growth, highlighting the power of supportive leadership in building a Thinking Classroom. Through real examples, we’ll explore:
Practical coaching strategies that foster meaningful shifts in instructional practice.
The teacher’s perspective on being coached—what works, what challenges arise, and what truly supports change.
Leadership moves that create a culture of trust, risk-taking, and continuous learning.
Whether you're a coach, administrator, or teacher leader, this session will provide insights into how collaborative partnerships can drive lasting impact in classrooms.

Great Thinking Classroom teachers aren’t born—they’re built through curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. Inspired by Peter Liljedahl’s research and Chase Orton’s The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher, this session is for educators ready to take ownership over their professional growth and reclaim their teaching legacy. We’ll dive into practical strategies for fostering reflection, tackling challenges, and embracing the messy process of becoming the teacher you want to be. Walk away with renewed energy, practical tools, and the confidence to drive your own journey toward teaching mastery!