The book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics..., by Peter Liljedahl, helps teachers implement 14 optimal practices for thinking that create an ideal setting for deep mathematics learning to occur. This book provides the what, why, and how of each practice. The 14 practices are organized into four toolkits.

This workshop is for teachers who have either not yet begun implementing Building Thinking Classrooms practices or those who have dabbled, but are still perfecting Toolkit 1: thinking tasks, visibly random groupings, and vertical spaces. This workshop is designed to give you the foundational tools to transform your classroom environment from day one.

This isn't your typical "sit and get" professional development. In this session, we will live the experience of a Thinking Classroom. We will focus specifically on Toolkit 1, the essential building blocks that break the "sit-and-listen" cycle:

• Thinking Tasks: Learn how to select and launch tasks that hook students immediately and maintain high cognitive engagement.
• Visible Random Groups: Discover why (and how) changing groups every single day reduces social barriers and increases student risk-taking.
• Vertical Non-Permanent Surfaces (VNPS): Experience the magic of standing up to work. We’ll discuss the science behind why whiteboards lead to faster starts and more collaborative "aha" moments. 

OBJECTIVES

• Understand the "Why" behind the first three practices of the BTC framework.
• Know how to manage the logistics of daily random grouping without losing instructional time.
• Have a plan for how to set up your physical space for maximum student movement and collaboration.
• Walk away with a toolkit of tasks to get your students thinking immediately, starting on the first day of school.

DETAILS

• Date: August 5, 2026
• Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Location: CESA 6, Oshkosh
• Cost: $250 per participant

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Teachers in grades K-12
• Math Specialists
• Math Coaches
• Math Instructional Leaders

QUESTIONS?

Please contact events@cesa6.org if you have any questions regarding this event.

CESA 6 Payment Policy for Event Registrations

CESA 6 accepts credit card payments for all event registrations. If you are unable to complete your registration using a credit card, please contact events@cesa6.org for assistance with alternative arrangements.

Please note if an alternative payment is needed, a purchase order must be received before your registration can be confirmed. All registrations must be finalized before the event date.

Alternative payment methods may be approved under the following circumstances:

• Registration fees exceed $1,000
• A specific funding source is being used (e.g., Title funds)
• Your school district requires use of an internal payment process