Building Thinking Classrooms: Finding the Right Balance

Mar 3, 2025

Dive into the world of Building Thinking Classrooms and discover how to boost engagement in math while avoiding pitfalls like passive participation. The podcast discusses balancing collaborative work and individual assessment, ensuring students think deeply rather than just talk. It emphasizes strategic planning to integrate various teaching practices effectively, enriching the learning experience. With reflections on teaching journeys, the conversation inspires educators to enhance math programs and embrace innovative ideas for better student outcomes.

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INSIGHT

BTC's Potential Pitfalls

Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) promotes engagement and rich discourse, but it has potential downsides.
Students might talk more but not necessarily think more deeply, requiring careful implementation.

ANECDOTE

Journey to BTC

Kyle Pierce and John Orr initially focused on student engagement before shifting towards promoting deeper thinking.
BTC, combined with the five practices, helped structure classrooms for problem-solving and discourse.

ADVICE

Strategic BTC Implementation

Define the desired learning outcomes and use BTC strategically to achieve those outcomes, not as the sole approach.
Consider five practices and rich tasks alongside BTC to promote effective thinking and classroom structure.

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Building Thinking Classrooms is praised for promoting engagement and rich discourse, but is there such a thing as too much BTC? In this episode, we explore both the benefits and the potential pitfalls—yes, students are talking more, but are they thinking more? We discuss concerns like over-reliance on group work, the risk of passive participation, and how easy it can be for students to copy rather than truly engage. Join us as we unpack the nuances of this approach and consider how to find the right balance for your classroom.

Key discussion points include:

Building Thinking Classrooms fosters engagement, collaboration, and deep mathematical discourse, making it a powerful approach worth considering.
Too much emphasis on group work can lead to passive participation, uneven contribution, and students copying rather than thinking.
Learn how to implement BTC strategically—balancing structure with flexibility to ensure all students are thinking, not just talking.
Explore ways to integrate BTC effectively without losing sight of individual accountability, diverse learning needs, and varied instructional approaches.

Show Notes

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Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.