Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12 - Practical

In this review of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12, the bottom line is clear: this book is for teachers who want to shift from rote tasks to classrooms where students do the heavy thinking. Peter Liljedahl translates extensive classroom research into a practical roadmap that explains not just what to change but how to implement each practice, making it the single best resource for educators seeking concrete, research-based strategies to boost student engagement and mathematical reasoning.

Key Features

• Research-based practices: The book presents 14 evidence-backed teaching practices that collectively create conditions for deeper student thinking.
• Clear what, why, and how structure: Each practice includes an explanation, rationale, and actionable steps so teachers can apply changes immediately.
• K-12 scope: Guidance is framed for a broad range of grade levels so elementary and secondary teachers can adapt approaches to their classrooms.
• Focus on student engagement: Strategies prioritize tasks and routines that encourage students to engage with concepts rather than perform rote procedures.
• Practical classroom examples: Realistic scenarios and suggestions help translate research findings into daily teaching routines.

Who It's For

Classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and math specialists who want to foster independent student reasoning will find the book especially useful; it targets educators ready to change classroom norms and try new routines. The blend of research and concrete steps supports professional learning and lesson redesign in both elementary and secondary settings.

Those less interested in pedagogical change or looking for a workbook of task sheets should look elsewhere, since the book focuses on practices and classroom structure rather than providing a large bank of ready-made worksheets or scripted lesson plans.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Practical, research-based strategies make it straightforward to transform classroom routines toward deep thinking.
• Written for K-12 so teachers across grades can adapt the practices to their context.
• Clear explanations of why each practice matters, which helps with buy-in and consistent implementation.
• Engagement-focused suggestions that shift students from passive to active problem solvers.

Cons

• Several readers report mixed feedback on the book's font and formatting, which can affect readability for some.

Specifications

Title	Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12
Author	Peter Liljedahl
Focus	14 teaching practices for thinking classrooms
Intended audience	K-12 teachers and instructional leaders
Approach	Research-based, practical implementation guidance
Series	Corwin Mathematics Series

Our Verdict

Building Thinking Classrooms is a valuable investment for teachers serious about increasing student engagement and mathematical reasoning; its combination of research and practical steps offers strong value for professional growth. Educators willing to adapt classroom norms will find its 14 practices a coherent, actionable path to more thinking-centered lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include step-by-step lesson plans?
The book focuses on practices and routines rather than scripted lesson plans or extensive task banks, though it offers practical classroom examples.

Is it suitable for both elementary and secondary teachers?
Yes, the guidance is written for K-12 audiences and includes adaptable suggestions for different grade levels.

Is the content research based?
Yes, the 14 practices are derived from the author's 15 years of research and are presented with evidence and implementation advice.