Transforming Math in the Middle: Designing Classrooms Where Students Think, Talk, and Thrive Middle school is a critical time for shaping students’ mathematical identity. Too often, students disengage; not due to lack of ability, but because classroom structures limit opportunities to think, collaborate, and persevere. In this interactive session, participants will experience what a thinking-centered math classroom looks and feels like. Designed for middle grades educators, this session explores practical strategies that promote student discourse, productive struggle, and collaborative problem solving—while aligning with the 8 Mathematical Practices and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Participants will engage in meaningful math tasks, examine instructional moves that shift cognitive responsibility to students, and reflect on how intentional classroom structures foster confidence, engagement, and ownership of learning. This session emphasizes creating inclusive environments where all students see themselves as capable mathematicians who can reason, communicate, and grow. Educators will leave with ready-to-implement strategies and a renewed vision for what is possible in middle school math classrooms.
