Building Thinking (Physics) Classrooms:
Talk given at the Spring Meeting of the Indiana Section of AAPT in March, 2026.
Abstract
The book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl has made waves in the mathematics teaching world over the past several years. With a philosophy very similar to that of the Modeling curriculum, Liljedahl’s “Thinking Classroom” methods are built on the idea that “thinking is the precursor to learning.” I have spent the last two years trying out some of Liljedahl’s methods in my Physics I classes. I will discuss how I have been using vertical whiteboards, randomized groupings, and “consolidation from the bottom” to increase engagement and encourage collaboration.
Links
Example Thinking Tasks and Consolidations
Liljedahl has an excellent set of non-curricular Thinking Tasks available on his website. Below is a sample of some physics-specific Thinking Tasks I’ve developed. All the LaTeX code for these resources and more is available here.
| Topic | Task Cards | Consolidation Worksheet |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity: | Superfly | Superfly Consolidation |
| Velocity and Acceleration: | Race | |
| Kinematic Equations Lab: | Water Balloon Challenge | Water Balloon Lab Writeup |
| 2D Vectors: | Vector Addition | Vector Consolidation |
| Free-Body Diagrams: | Free-body Diagrams | |
| Conservation of Energy: | Energy | Energy Consolidation |
| Torque Mini Lab: | Torque |