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Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6-12
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 Kyle Webb to bring the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework to life in this new book, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6-12.
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
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 6-12 will help teachers, coaches, and specialists transform traditional math classrooms into dynamic and thought-provoking learning spaces. Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5 is also available to create district-wide thinking classrooms!
Building upon the blockbuster success of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Peter Liljedahl has joined forces with co-author Kyle Webb to bring the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework to life in this new book, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6-12.
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
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 6-12 will help teachers, coaches, and specialists transform traditional math classrooms into dynamic and thought-provoking learning spaces. Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5 is also available to create district-wide thinking classrooms!
560 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 8, 2026
Book #30 of 2026. "Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom: Grades 6-12" by Peter Liljedahl and Kyle Webb. 5/5 rating. 529 p.
(Major nerd alert.....)
"Could there be anything more important and pressing than teaching students how to think?" - Tracy Johnston Zager
This book is the sequel to the original Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter. This is a concept of teaching math through "thinking tasks" which have students working at vertical non-permanent surfaces in small teams. That book absolutely shaped how I teach math, but as a new teacher, it didn't provide everything I was looking for. This volume includes many of the concepts that I want to improve on: closing and wrapping up lessons, coming up with rich tasks, and how to steer students when they get stuck.
I cannot sing enough praises for this book! I am teaching a summer school program and have already used multiple tasks. Meanwhile, reading through it I've realized where certain tasks fit into gaps that I feel like I have left in student understanding.
There are 20 non-curricular tasks, and 30 curricular tasks that will give you a great basis for where to start. But also gives guidance on how to create your own.
A few key quotes:
- "thinking is what we do when we don't know what to do."
- "Along the way, they will also learn that being stuck is not a bad thing, it is just part of mathematics."
- "Students don't learn well from us talking and showing more. They learn by doing, by making mistakes and correcting their mistakes. Students need to have opportunities to make meaning, not have meaning made for them."
If you are at all interested in BTC, you should ABSOLUTELY go grab this!!
(Major nerd alert.....)
"Could there be anything more important and pressing than teaching students how to think?" - Tracy Johnston Zager
This book is the sequel to the original Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter. This is a concept of teaching math through "thinking tasks" which have students working at vertical non-permanent surfaces in small teams. That book absolutely shaped how I teach math, but as a new teacher, it didn't provide everything I was looking for. This volume includes many of the concepts that I want to improve on: closing and wrapping up lessons, coming up with rich tasks, and how to steer students when they get stuck.
I cannot sing enough praises for this book! I am teaching a summer school program and have already used multiple tasks. Meanwhile, reading through it I've realized where certain tasks fit into gaps that I feel like I have left in student understanding.
There are 20 non-curricular tasks, and 30 curricular tasks that will give you a great basis for where to start. But also gives guidance on how to create your own.
A few key quotes:
- "thinking is what we do when we don't know what to do."
- "Along the way, they will also learn that being stuck is not a bad thing, it is just part of mathematics."
- "Students don't learn well from us talking and showing more. They learn by doing, by making mistakes and correcting their mistakes. Students need to have opportunities to make meaning, not have meaning made for them."
If you are at all interested in BTC, you should ABSOLUTELY go grab this!!
April 24, 2026
Great follow up to the original book. I've seen Peter speak since the first book was published and some of the ideas in this book were discussed. It was even more engaging to hear it in person. I did not read through every task at the end of the book, but I did read through (and try in my classroom) some of the non-curricular tasks. Love that the research continues!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews