Building a Thinking Classroom

Adding It All Up

Adding It All Up
Building a Thinking Classroom
Mar 19, 2026 Season 3 Episode 3

Peter Liljedahl joins Latrenda and Dewey to explore what it takes to build a “thinking classroom” where students do the heavy lifting. 

They discuss what these classrooms look and feel like, why traditional routines often lead to answer-getting instead of real thinking, and practical moves, like random groups, vertical whiteboards, and purposeful tasks, that help every student engage, collaborate, and develop a stronger math identity.

Episode Artwork Building a Thinking Classroom 54:37 Episode Artwork Think, Talk, Choose: Math Routines That Grow Fluency 28:55 Episode Artwork Every Student Has a Place: Belonging in Mathematics 26:22 Episode Artwork Math Trauma: Naming It, Understanding It, Healing It (Part 2) 25:08 Episode Artwork Math Trauma: Naming It, Understanding It, Healing It (Part 1) 28:26 Episode Artwork Math Beyond the Classroom: Empowering Families, Engaging Children 43:26 Episode Artwork Multiplying Meaning: Empowering Students in Mathematics 17:40 Episode Artwork Chalk It Up to a Strong Start: Your Back-to-School Playbook 28:12 Episode Artwork Data-Driven Minds: Prepping Students for a Smarter Future 26:08 Episode Artwork Sunscreen & Subtraction: Your NCTM Summer Reading List 34:33 Episode Artwork Words Count Too: Literacy in Math Learning 32:05 Episode Artwork Multiplying Opportunities: Advocating for Better Math Access 34:51 Episode Artwork Metacognition: Thinking About Our Thinking 22:08 Episode Artwork 2024 In Review: Mathematics Education Evolved...and What's Next in 2025 44:10 Episode Artwork Numbers Don’t Lie: Analyzing the 2024 NAEP Results 20:22 Episode Artwork The Power of Proactive Coaching: Transforming Math Leadership 41:54 Episode Artwork Play By Play: Strategies to Empower Students in the Classroom 37:41 Episode Artwork Forward Thinking in the Math Classroom 41:26 Episode Artwork Beyond Calculators: AI's Role in Modern Math Classrooms 32:36 Episode Artwork The New Three "Rs" of High School Mathematics 23:38 Episode Artwork Actionable Steps in Equity 40:37 Episode Artwork Embracing Your Voice as a Classroom Teacher: Writing for MTLT 23:39 Episode Artwork Identity Crisis: Mathematics in the Classroom 39:42 Episode Artwork Examining The Connections Between Elementary Mathematics and Literacy 28:31 Episode Artwork Exploring the Impact of the Landmark Publication: Principles to Actions 29:30