Building Thinking Classrooms 2025 Annual Conference

In this session, we will explore strategies for consolidating understanding and helping students know where they are in their learning journey using a digital math tool. You will have a chance to engage in mathematics, see how your solution strategies are connected to others’ and to the underlying mathematics, and think about how this can help you navigate your learning trajectory.

Grades shape student's perception of their abilities & future prospects, yet outdated practices, proven inaccurate by decades of research, continue to distort students' self-identities and undermine their potential for success.  In this session, participants will critically examine the reliability & effectiveness of traditional grading through research-backed discussions, reflective activities, & case studies. Building on insights from Building Thinking Classrooms, participants will explore practical, data-driven grading strategies, hear inspiring stories from educators who have successfully transformed their practices, & gain resources and support for shifting toward grading practices that foster student growth & accurate self-reflection.

Come join us to learn the micro moves that will have MACRO impact in shifting the heavy-lifting in your classroom from you to your mathematicians. Whether you're new to BTC or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with the tools to foster a classroom where every student is thinking, collaborating, and developing a true mathematical growth mindset.
 
You will leave this session with pragmatic ways to apply some of Dr. Peter Liljedahl’s researched practices, experiencing these gems in the context of a MidSchoolMath classroom! Don’t just meet us there - beat us there!

In this session you will learn some strategies for “evaluating what we value.” You will learn how to take established norms for board work and create a daily grade.

Demystify the art of thin slicing in math instruction with this engaging, interactive session based on the latest research from Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom. Engage in the 4-step process—identifying, grouping, sequencing, and filling—as you break down content into smaller, interconnected progressions, allowing students to move through concepts more efficiently. Learn how thin slicing shifts focus from lesson-by-lesson teaching to exploring concept progressions, fostering a deeper understanding of math connections in less time. Walk away with confidence that you can implement this process tomorrow to help students engage meaningfully, build confidence, and grasp the bigger picture of mathematics.

Wondering how to integrate Peter Liljedahl’s BTC practices into your daily middle or secondary math lessons? This session explores how thin-slicing can structure curricular sequences and develop effective Consolidations, Notes, and Check Your Understanding questions. Participants will actively plan a sequence and learn how to extend it into unit planning, ensuring adaptability and responsive teaching. Designed for those familiar with thin-slicing and responsibility practices, this session is hands-on and application-focused.

This session will explore how to integrate McGraw Hill's Reveal Math curriculum with Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) strategies for K-5 learners. Participants will experience a modeled lesson and leave with a lesson plan template to help implement these approaches in their own classrooms, enhancing engagement and problem-solving for young students.