Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026

The first day of math class matters—and it matters a lot. It’s when we establish the culture that shapes how students experience math, their beliefs about who they are as mathematical thinkers, and how they act in math class. But what happens when that culture starts to slip? In this session, participants will experience a lesson and unpack the moves that position us to set the culture on day one—and reset it when math class isn’t working. We’ll explore how these moves influence student identity, voice, and participation, and how teachers can intentionally shape classrooms where more students see themselves as capable mathematical thinkers.