by Peter Liljedahl
Published
October 30, 2020
Pages
344 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Corwin
Kindle
$28.44
Paperback
$35.95
Audiobook
$0.00
Audio CD
Not found
A thinking student is an engaged student Sparked by observing teachers struggle to implement rich mathematics tasks to engage students in deep thinking, Peter Liljedahl has translated his 15 years of research into this practical guide on how to move toward a thinking classroom. Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12 helps teachers implement 14 optimal practices for thinking that create an ideal setting for deep mathematics learning to occur. This guide Provides the what, why, and how of each practice Includes firsthand accounts of how these practices foster thinking Offers a plethora of macro moves, micro moves, and rich tasks to get started
Explore how "Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics" revolutionizes traditional teaching methods by offering practical strategies that foster an engaging and collaborative learning environment. With insights backed by research, this book equips educators with the tools to transform their classrooms into dynamic spaces where students are encouraged to think critically and work together effectively. Designed for grades K-12, it offers innovative practices that can be seamlessly integrated into any math curriculum, supporting both teachers and students in their journey toward deeper understanding.
Engage students through collaborative problem-solving to enhance critical thinking skills. Integrate proven teaching practices that foster student autonomy and active learning. Transform traditional classrooms into vibrant spaces encouraging deep mathematical thinking.
Rooted in extensive research Building Thinking Classrooms" provides educators with a collection of teaching practices that seek to dismantle traditional classroom dynamics and replace them with environments that nurture deep student engagement. Its approaches are proven to increase student participation and enthusiasm for mathematics. Each chapter carefully unwraps practices designed to enhance active learning and encourage independent thinking offering educators the flexibility to implement these strategies adaptively in their specific educational settings.
The book serves as a comprehensive guide for both new and experienced educators. The text is grounded in the belief that every student is capable of profound mathematical understanding when placed in an environment that encourages curiosity and persistence. By equipping teachers with these 14 transformative practices it bridges the gap between theory and practical application making it accessible to educators committed to fostering growth.
Designed for K-12 educators the book encourages a shift away from rote memorization toward a mindset that values exploration and critical problem-solving. It emphasizes the importance of creating classrooms where thinking is made visible driving deeper connections across mathematical concepts and enhancing overall learning.
This book stands out through its research-backed practices that demystify and overhaul traditional teaching methods making mathematics accessible and engaging for every student regardless of their prior experiences With its focus on collaborative learning it empowers educators to foster environments where student interactions become the cornerstone of mathematical exploration deepening engagement and promoting shared discovery Additionally it bridges theoretical insights with practical application providing educators with readily applicable strategies to transform their approach and cultivate a culture of thinking in their classrooms.
1544374836
978-1544374833
7 x 0.78 x 10 inches
1.55 pounds
Based on 1704 ratings
After implementing the first three practices, my students are begging for math tasks when they walk into the classroom each morning. They want to start math early to see what challenge I have for them that day and there's excitement about who they get to work with on these tasks. There is a new found energy and excitement for our math block now for both me and my students!
It is often obvious that traditional teaching method is wrong, but people just don't know what's the right thing to do. Everyone is so busy chasing KPIs, no one has the time and energy to reflect on the original purpose of education, then spend energy to figure out a better way. This author's work is thorough in thinking, creative in the approach, and scientific in establishing better ways with evidence. Highly recommended not only for math teachers, but also teachers of other subjects, as well as inquisitive parents like me. School has to be about thinking and creativity, and inspiring kids to want to learn, not rote memorising of procedures and facts which are bound to destroy kids natural ability and desire to learn.
I am a first year math teacher and read this book in my classes at school. I decided to reread it after student teaching. I plan to implement the practices in my first classroom. There are great examples that make the concepts easier to grasp. There’s also a FAQ section after each chapter which is helpful because a lot of these ideas are new and break the mold of traditional education. I think all teachers should read this because it makes us rethink what education should look like!
I love this book! It is a lot to take in and should be ideally implemented piece by piece. Not everything presented will work with what my district requires as far as grading, but I have gained new insight and many great ideas to implement in my classroom!
This was an easy read with researched techniques to help students think for themselves mathematically. It also looks to combat some of the misconceptions about learning mathematics.
Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning is an essential guide for educators aiming to foster critical thinking in math. The book presents 14 research-based practices that transform traditional classrooms into engaging environments where students collaborate and tackle real problems. By prioritizing student-centered learning, Liljedahl equips teachers with practical strategies to enhance student engagement and deepen mathematical understanding. A must-read for anyone looking to invigorate their math instruction!
Peter Liljedhahl has written maybe the most important and practical book that just can't be ignored by teachers of math. As a sixth grade teacher, I have searched for a book that could help me "put it all together" to complete a move away from the repetitive "I do, we do, you do" method of math instruction that is STILL so prevalent in our schools. Even teachers who may have in the past resisted changing their practices because they just weren't sure how will be able to do it with the help of the practices outlined in his book. I'm pretty skeptical about a lot of teaching books, because they often leave me disappointed. They are often full of theory and never get practical or explain how the ideas actually worked with real students. Many are "here are some important big ideas now go figure out how that translates into the real practical world of your classroom--good luck!" What I most appreciate about Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics is that Peter's research comes from having been in the classrooms of many teachers over many years. It's easy to doubt ideas that come from folks who are "coaches" and don't live the day-to-day reality of an actual classroom. Peter supports his teaching practices and elaborates on what aspects were shown to be most effective in real classrooms. If you're a classroom teacher, you'll know what I mean. He even relates what he thought would happen and is honest about results that either confirmed or changed what he originally thought. Each chapter is so well-organized (and organized similarly) so that everything is easy to follow. I found myself highlighting key points and then the end of each chapter would have a super helpful summary of the macro-move for the practice and a series of micro-moves. So effective. I have heard of and incorporated several of these practices in the past but nowhere else have I seen a book that pulls so many effective practices together in one place and even organizes them such that the early practices can be incorporated first and then the rest added when ready. I am so grateful I have read this over the summer, as it will greatly influence my practices from day 1 of my upcoming school year. Peter asks this question at the end of each chapter: "What are some of the things in this chapter that immediately feel correct?" I love that because in almost every instance I thought, "All of it!" Another tremendous contribution of this book includes a discussion of rubrics and grading, two areas that are often not discussed as much amongst my colleagues and I because we can rarely find consensus and typically revert back to what we've always done. Peter's ideas on rubrics have changed the way I will use them (most rubrics have WAY too much ambiguity to be used effectively by teachers or students or are so cumbersome they are overwhelming). His explanation of an alternative way to construct rubrics make SO much sense and will be helpful. And the grading chapter is an excellent beginning to rethinking how we can give grades (since most of us have to) in a way that will value what is important. I think that will still be the most challenging thing for me--Peter offers one good method of getting data, but it still seems like it could be time-intensive to me. I am more than willing to give it a try, however, because it is much better than the alternative. As a classroom teacher for almost 30 years, I can truly say without a doubt this book is the BEST in making a complete case for improving math instruction and moving toward a THINKING classroom, and SHOWS YOU HOW. How many times have you thought in your heart, "this practice is probably not the best but I'm so overwhelmed with the day-to-day demands on me as a teacher I can't figure it out so I'll just stick with what I'm doing." I know this has happened to me. This book will help move you into action to change some of those practices! I am so excited to implement what I have learned this upcoming school year. I want all of my students to view themselves as "thinkers" and enjoy math as much as I do. If you teach math in any capacity, you owe it to yourself to grab a copy of this book. You'll be so glad you did.
There is a A TON of useful information in this book for math teachers. Very easy to read and so many useful techniques to try! 100% worth buying!