Bismarck educators spotlight student-led thinking strategies in math presentation

Angie Edinger, assistant principal at Walker Middle School, introduced a district focus on "thinking strategies" in mathematics at the Bismarck School Board meeting Monday night, saying the approach emphasizes students explaining and representing their thinking rather than only receiving direct instruction.

At Century High School teacher Kate Fox described a December "Minds on Math" conference in Denver that influenced classroom practice. "We were in the learner spot," Fox said, and teachers returned with seven strategies they have since adapted for local classrooms. She described lessons that ask students to "represent a task in three different ways" and to lead peer discussions that push classmates to explain reasoning rather than only supply answers.

Jessica Veriano, a specialist at Wachter Middle School, described using the strategies with learners several grade levels below peers. "The students need to be the ones doing the math," Veriano said, explaining that she reduces direct correction and instead asks students to justify answers with models and reasoning. She called the approach a balance of guidance and "productive struggle."

Board members asked how the strategies align with AVID practices and whether benefits extend beyond AVID students. Fox said the questioning and student-led discussion techniques are broadly transferable: "It's not just AVID kids who would benefit from this stuff," she said.

Superintendent and board members praised the teacher-led professional development and said the district plans to expand opportunities for staff to observe and bring the strategies into more classrooms. The presentation closed with a pledge to continue district-level demonstrations and fall introductions to support wider adoption.