Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5

First Edition
Peter Liljedahl - Simon Fraser University
Maegan Giroux
Corwin Mathematics Series
Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5
May 2024 | 440 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781071951897
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071913291
Available from January 0001

Description

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 book:

  • 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.

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Part 1: BTC Practices: In Review and In the New

Part 1: BTC Practices: In Review and In the New

Chapter 1: What Kinds of Tasks to Use

Chapter 1: What Kinds of Tasks to Use

Chapter 2: How, When, and Where to Give Tasks

Chapter 2: How, When, and Where to Give Tasks

Chapter 3: How to Build and Utilize Student Autonomy

Chapter 3: How to Build and Utilize Student Autonomy

Chapter 4: How to Use Hints and Extensions to Maintain Flow

Chapter 4: How to Use Hints and Extensions to Maintain Flow

Chapter 5: How to Consolidate the Task(s)

Chapter 5: How to Consolidate the Task(s)

Chapter 6: How to Have Students Make Meaningful Notes

Chapter 6: How to Have Students Make Meaningful Notes

Chapter 7: How to Have Students do Check-Your-Understanding Questions

Chapter 7: How to Have Students do Check-Your-Understanding Questions

Chapter 8: How to Use Tasks as the Context to Improve Student Competencies

Chapter 8: How to Use Tasks as the Context to Improve Student Competencies

Chapter 9: What Does a Lesson Look Like in a Thinking Classroom?

Chapter 9: What Does a Lesson Look Like in a Thinking Classroom?

Part 2: Non-Curricular Tasks

Part 2: Non-Curricular Tasks

Part 3: Curricular Tasks

Part 3: Curricular Tasks

Part 4: From Page to Practice

Part 4: From Page to Practice

Epilogue

Epilogue

Description

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 book:

  • 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.

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Part 1: BTC Practices: In Review and In the New

Part 1: BTC Practices: In Review and In the New

Chapter 1: What Kinds of Tasks to Use

Chapter 1: What Kinds of Tasks to Use

Chapter 2: How, When, and Where to Give Tasks

Chapter 2: How, When, and Where to Give Tasks

Chapter 3: How to Build and Utilize Student Autonomy

Chapter 3: How to Build and Utilize Student Autonomy

Chapter 4: How to Use Hints and Extensions to Maintain Flow

Chapter 4: How to Use Hints and Extensions to Maintain Flow

Chapter 5: How to Consolidate the Task(s)

Chapter 5: How to Consolidate the Task(s)

Chapter 6: How to Have Students Make Meaningful Notes

Chapter 6: How to Have Students Make Meaningful Notes

Chapter 7: How to Have Students do Check-Your-Understanding Questions

Chapter 7: How to Have Students do Check-Your-Understanding Questions

Chapter 8: How to Use Tasks as the Context to Improve Student Competencies

Chapter 8: How to Use Tasks as the Context to Improve Student Competencies

Chapter 9: What Does a Lesson Look Like in a Thinking Classroom?

Chapter 9: What Does a Lesson Look Like in a Thinking Classroom?

Part 2: Non-Curricular Tasks

Part 2: Non-Curricular Tasks

Part 3: Curricular Tasks

Part 3: Curricular Tasks

Part 4: From Page to Practice

Part 4: From Page to Practice

Epilogue

Epilogue

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Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5

Peter Liljedahl , Maegan Giroux
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May 2024 | 440 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781071913291 $43.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781071951897 $40.00

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 book:

  • 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.


Table Of Contents:

  • Introduction
  • Part 1: BTC Practices: In Review and In the New
  • Chapter 1: What Kinds of Tasks to Use
  • Chapter 2: How, When, and Where to Give Tasks
  • Chapter 3: How to Build and Utilize Student Autonomy
  • Chapter 4: How to Use Hints and Extensions to Maintain Flow
  • Chapter 5: How to Consolidate the Task(s)
  • Chapter 6: How to Have Students Make Meaningful Notes
  • Chapter 7: How to Have Students do Check-Your-Understanding Questions
  • Chapter 8: How to Use Tasks as the Context to Improve Student Competencies
  • Chapter 9: What Does a Lesson Look Like in a Thinking Classroom?
  • Part 2: Non-Curricular Tasks
  • Part 3: Curricular Tasks
  • Part 4: From Page to Practice
  • Epilogue

Recent Product Reviews:

BTC just got easier to do in your classroom! We have said for years and years that students need to be doing the thinking and talking in the math classroom. This book gives you the tools to actually do it! Whether you’ve read the original Building Thinking Classrooms book or not, this book gives you MORE . . . more tasks, more insights, more ideas. If you want to get kids thinking, add this book to your collection.
Christina Tondevold, Build Math Minds
Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K–5 doesn’t just offer tasks; it intentionally provides the fuel for transforming classrooms into dynamic critical thinking and collaboration hubs. From task selection to empowering student autonomy, this book equips educators with the tools and knowledge to create vibrant learning environments.
Graham Fletcher
It was love at first sight when I read Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning. Though it might sound cheesy, it changed my life. While it was a transformational game changer in my classroom, it left me wanting more, especially in regard to the early elementary world. I longed to sit down with Peter and pick his brain concerning how some of the 14 practices might look in my first-grade class. Well, this book answers those questions, and I’m confident it will do the same for all the elementary teachers who have been waiting on the edges of their seats for this book to arrive. Peter and Maegan have hit it out of the ballpark.
Tammy McMorrow, Indian Creek Elementary
This follow-up to Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics will be a must-have book for every elementary math educator! Not only does it offer a comprehensive guide to a wealth of classroom-tested non-curricular and curricular tasks, and an expansion of many of the practices included in the original book, the presentation for each task takes you from an offered launch to begin the task, to hints and extensions during the task, to examples of student work to help educators consolidate the task, suggested examples of Check-Your-Understanding questions, and even advice from Peter and Maegan on what they have learned during their facilitation of these tasks within classrooms over and over again. Pure gold! This will be such a valuable addition to math educators’ professional libraries. I predict facilitation of positive math journeys for each and every student fortunate enough to be in a thinking classroom.
Ann Elise Record, Ann Elise Record Consulting LLC Concord, MH
He’s done it again! Peter Liljedahl continues to take the math world by storm by answering our most frequently asked questions about building our own thinking classrooms, continuing to share his research findings, and providing us with examples of thinking tasks that fit the criteria of the 14 BTC practices.
Kimberly Rimbey, KP Mathematics

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