I have been using the Thinking Classrooms approach since 2022. This model was introduced to me in the book “Building Thinking Classrooms” by Peter Liljedahl.

The model involves students working in small groups, solving several tasks on vertical whiteboards, beginning with prior knowledge and working towards discussing the prescribed concept or skill for the day, instead of simply being told what that concept or skill is. Other ideas included in this model are “defronting the classroom” and “checking your understanding,” all of which can be rolled out gradually in the classroom to allow students to improving their ability to think through problems rather than mimic a teacher-driven solution process.

I believe in the Thinking Classrooms model because it greatly improves student engagement in the learning process, and this engagement is evident to anyone simply by looking around the room. Also, this model teaches students to find new methods and expand on existing methods to solving problems.

For more information about the Thinking Classrooms, please click on any of the links under the First 5 Days menu.