Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5

by Peter Liljedahl, Maegan Giroux

Practical and proven math tasks to maximize student thinking and learning


Building upon the blockbuster success of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Peter Liljedahl has joined forces with co-author Maegan Giroux to bring the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework to life in this new book, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5.


But this book is so much more than simply a collection of good thinking tasks. It delves deeper into the implementation of the 14 practices from the BTC framework by updating the practices with the newest research, and focusing on the practice through the lens of rich math tasks that address specific mathematical learning outcomes or standards. Across the 20 non-curricular tasks and 30 curricular tasks used as models, this



Helps you choose tasks to fit your particular math standards, goals, and the competencies you want your students to build
Walks you through all the steps and scripts to launch, facilitate, and consolidate each task
Shares examples of possible student solutions along with hints you might offer to help their thinking along
Offers tasks for consolidation, example notes to my future forgetful self, and mild, medium, and spicy check-your-understanding questions (CYUs) for every thin sliced sequences of curricular tasks
Imparts reflections from the authors on each task

The book closes with specific guidance on how to find more tasks or craft your own non-curricular and curricular tasks, along with answers to educators’ frequently asked questions. It includes access to a companion website that includes downloadables and a task template for creating your own tasks.


Whether you are new to BTC or a seasoned user, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5 will help teachers, coaches, and specialists transform traditional math classrooms into dynamic and thought-provoking learning spaces.

Genres: Teaching

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2024

Reviews

[Annalies Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about having the confidence to build a thinking classroom. Great math task ideas and great insight to the importance behind the data out there supporting thinking classrooms.

[Brea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building Thinking Classrooms has brought new life to my teaching practices. I have read 2 books by Peter Liljedahl and plan to read more. Something new to learn and take in with each new book release, not only for math but other subject areas too.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach secondary and I still bought it. On top of the promised tasks (which, I'll grant you, I'm unlikely to be using for high school), it includes new ideas and clarifications for the thinking classroom model from the orange book, as well as a more in-depth chat about how to go about thin-slicing. The tasks proper were useful for me as exemplars. I found it useful as an addendum to the orange book.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter has done it again! Providing updates to his amazing findings in Building Thinking Classrooms, this book upends the whole normal business of doing school. If we want our students to be thinkers, we need to give them opportunities to think. Traditional teaching methods encourage mimicking, and thus no room for original thought. I love that Peter not only argues this, but gives a complete, thoroughly researched framework for turning a classroom into a thinking classroom.

[Toni Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning has updates on Peter’s research and a lot of the tasks are easily adaptable to middle school.