Building Thinking Classrooms

Just recently I made my first attempt at building a thinking classroom in math. I had heard of non-permanent vertical surfaces before and I experimented with using whiteboards on the wall in groups. What I didn't realize was that it's not just about working together on a non-permanent vertical space...so when I read more of Perter Liljedahl's work, I realized I needed to have random groupings, only one pen for each group and start them with problems that they can practice with. So being brave and optimistic I used period 8 (the last period of the day) to do my first attempt. The students arrived back from music and I was waiting outside the door, I handed each person a playing card and told them to find the spot on the whiteboard with the same number. Then I verbally told them the problem - Using the three numbers on the dice that I roll, make as many different equations using order of operations that get a different answer. IT WAS AMAZING! They only could write down their partners ideas and needed to swap pens every once in a while. I also yelled out swap periodically. Check out this web site for great info as well as twitter and the hash tag #buildingthinkingclassrooms #nvps

Math Mystery

A colleague shared this free resource with me and I used it on the last day before the Christmas break. The work that was going on in the room for more than an hour was mind boggling! (Thanks for sharing Jennifer Workman!)
Students must solve math questions for clues to figure out who the super bad superhero is.

This resource is available in a variety of grade levels so you can differentiate for your class.
Check out the link below to access this free resource.

Teachers Pay Teachers Link to Math Mystery

Fraction Splats

Fraction Splats!

Check out these - especially if you are teaching fractions in grades 6 & 7. I can see so many rich conversations happening during these lessons.

Don't forget to watch Steve's video - he does a great job of explaining how to use the splats.

Scroll down on this page to find the video.