Building Thinking Classrooms
My supervisor has been experimenting with a “Building Thinking Classrooms” (BTC) approach to teaching, so our department began the year by participating in a BTC-style activity: standing in small groups around the room, working on “non-routine” problems on chalk boards / white boards. It was certainly engaging, social, and compelling, but I was definitely missing quiet time to think deeply about the problems on my own. It also seemed nearly impossible to not be influenced by other groups, especially those who quickly arrived at a successful approach. In any event, it was a thoughtful way to start the year, and it led to some great, productive conversations.
Originally posted on Mastodon.
1 Comment
Aaron Kaswell · September 7, 2025 at 12:40 pm
I have been experimenting with BTC the last few years in 6th grade both with non-curricular tasks at the beginning of the year and with IM-based stuff throughout the year. As you said, it’s very engaging and neat to see work all around the room. But it’s too easy for information to share and it totally lacks the time for me and the students to quietly contemplate the task. I’m going to try to incorporate more quiet think time/reflection into the structure either at the intro or throughout the work time.