Building Thinking Classrooms: Learning through engagement

Across San Juan Unified, classrooms are shifting more of the thinking and problem-solving to students.

Building Thinking Classrooms is one of the teaching strategies being used in schools throughout our district to increase engagement and make student learning visible. At John Barrett Middle School, this work is taking shape in powerful ways.

Instead of watching a lesson from their desks, students work together at vertical whiteboards, explain their reasoning and revise their ideas in real time. When student thinking is visible, teachers gain immediate insight into who is on track and where additional support may be needed.

Watch this short video to see how elevating student thinking is transforming classrooms across our district.