2025 MidSchoolMath National Conference

When students explore visual, tactile, and relevant problems before a unit of study, they are able to use their prior knowledge, construct new understandings, and connect their learning to the world! In this session, we'll explore some anchor problems using Building Thinking Classrooms practices, and talk about how to make exploration and learning memorable and durable.

We'll then discuss how then displaying mathematical representations of these problems around the room allows you to refer to the math throughout the year, intentionally helping students look for patterns and connections, deepen their learning, and build conceptual understanding. You'll leave having deepened your understanding of the Building Thinking Classrooms practices and resources to use with your students.