Learning & Wellbeing @ ASPS

Building Thinking Classrooms at Auburn South Primary School

Our teachers have been exploring innovative ways to engage students in deep, meaningful learning. This year, we have been implementing Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms approach—a research-based framework designed to promote student thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. 

Liljedahl’s approach encourages students to engage actively with challenging tasks in an environment that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. Key strategies include using non-permanent surfaces for problem-solving, working in randomly assigned groups, and encouraging discussion rather than ‘mimicking’. This method shifts the focus from passive learning to active thinking, helping students build confidence and resilience in tackling complex problems.

Explicit teaching plays a crucial role within the Building Thinking Classrooms approach. While students inquire into rich problem-solving tasks and engage in collaborative thinking, teachers provide targeted instruction at key moments to clarify concepts, introduce efficient strategies, and consolidate learning. This ensures that students not only develop critical thinking skills but also build a strong foundation of knowledge to apply in new and complex situations.

Across the school, teachers have embraced these strategies, creating dynamic learning spaces where students are excited to think, share, and explore mathematical concepts together. The accompanying images showcase our students in action—working together at whiteboards, discussing ideas, and developing creative solutions. These snapshots highlight the power of a Thinking Classroom in fostering engagement, collaboration, and deeper understanding.

We are excited to see the impact of this approach as students continue to develop their problem-solving skills and a love of learning. Keep an eye out for more updates as we build on the culture of thinking at our school.