Peter Liljedahl joins Latrenda and Dewey to explore what it takes to build a “thinking classroom” where students do the heavy lifting.

They discuss what these classrooms look and feel like, why traditional routines often lead to answer-getting instead of real thinking, and practical moves, like random groups, vertical whiteboards, and purposeful tasks, that help every student engage, collaborate, and develop a stronger math identity.

Jenny Bay-Williams and John SanGiovanni join Latrenda and Dewey to discuss building numeracy, strategic fluency, and student agency. They explore why fluency isn’t about memorization or speed drills, how “think time” and classroom routines support reasoning, and how giving students a repertoire of strategies helps them make more confident choices in math.

Solandra Grice-Johnson and Alexis Lien join the podcast to shine a spotlight on mathematical belonging, the feeling that every student has a valued place in the math classroom.

Through stories, insights, and research from the recent issue of the MTLT journal, they unpack how fostering a sense of belonging can strengthen students’ confidence, support their math identity, and transform their relationship with the subject.

• Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 Volume 118 Issue 11 (2025)