Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12

Dr. Peter Liljedahl (he/him) is a Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, author of the best-selling book, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Grades K-12): 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning, and co-author of the best-selling book, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom (Grades K-5). Peter is a former high school mathematics teacher who has kept his research interests and activities close to the classroom. With a passion for fostering deep mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills, Peter has dedicated his career to reshaping classroom environments. His work emphasizes thinking, collaborative learning, and problem solving, leading to more effective and meaningful mathematics education experiences for students of all ages. Through his research-based innovative teaching methods, Peter continues to inspire educators worldwide to create dynamic and thought-provoking learning spaces. He consults regularly with teachers, schools, school districts, and ministries and departments of education on issues of teaching and learning, problem solving, assessment, numeracy, and building thinking classrooms. Peter has authored or co-authored 13 books, 45 book chapters, and 45 research articles on a wide range of topics including creativity in mathematics, the role of beliefs in the teaching and learning mathematics, and building thinking classrooms. He is the recipient of the Cmolik Prize for the Enhancement of Public Education (2017), The Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award Recognizing Innovation and Excellence in Mathematics Education (2018), and the Læringsprisen for Changing the way we think about Education in Denmark (2022). For information about consulting on Building Thinking Classrooms, go to https://www.buildingthinkingclassrooms.com/consulting

"Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics exudes enthusiasm for students, how they think, and how those thoughts coalesce into powerful thinking classrooms. It′s also deeply practical, describing how everything from the teacher′s questions to the arrangement of the furniture can add to your students′ learning."

• Foreword by Tracy Johnston ZagerIntroductionChapter 1: What Are the Types of Tasks We Use in a Thinking Classroom?Chapter 2: How We Form Collaborative Groups in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 3: Where Students Work in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 4: How We Arrange the Furniture in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 5: How We Answer Questions in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 6: When, Where, and How Tasks are Given in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 7: What Homework Looks Like in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 8: How We Foster Student Autonomy in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 9: How We Use Hints and Extensions in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 10: How we Consolidate a Lesson in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 11: How Students Take Notes in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 12: What We Choose to Evaluate in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 13: How We Use Formative Assessment in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 14: How We Grade in a Thinking ClassroomChapter 15: Pulling the 14 Practices Together to Build a Thinking ClassroomReferences