Critical Thinking in the Math Classroom, Taylor, Spring 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S13
Instructor:	Curtis Taylor, M.S.
Location:	Online-asynchronously
Dates and Times:	Mar 20, 2026 - May 15, 2026
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	$1,195

Course Description

Participants in this course will collaborate with their professor and peers to build a deeper understanding of research-based practices that build mathematical thinkers. This includes the exploration of practical strategies that promote student thinking through collaboration. Participants will explore the “Building Thinking Classrooms” framework with an emphasis on the first few practices. A final project will include a plan on how to implement practices that will help build a thinking classroom.

Audience: K-12 Teachers, Math Teachers, Special Educators, School Leaders with a Bachelor's Degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

To understand the types of mathematical tasks that encourage student thinking.
To explore techniques that encourage student problem solving through collaboration.
To learn strategies for developing and facilitating student collaboration.

Course Objectives:

To develop an evidence-based plan for building more student thinking in their classroom.
To learn techniques for turning textbook tasks into thinking tasks.

Course Schedule

Each week consists of an online discussion that participants will engage in. The final project will be worked on throughout the course.

Required Readings/Resources

Required readings/resources are not included in the course tuition.

Lilijedhal, Peter. Building a Thinking Classroom in Mathematics, 2020

plus many current articles and resources provided by the instructor, including, but not limited

to:

Newhouse, Kara. How to Get Kids Thinking Instead of Mimicking in Math Class, 2024

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/64539/how-to-get-kids-thinking-instead-of-mimicking-in-math-class

Chiappetta, Emma. Using Problem-Solving to Build Community From Day 1, 2022

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-problem-solving-build-community-day-1/

Manfre, Joseph. The Advantages of Heterogeneous Student Groups in Math, 2022

https://www.edutopia.org/article/advantages-heterogeneous-student-groups-math/

For additional course information:

Curtis Taylor, (802) 922-0004

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team (802) 468-1325