Teaching Frameworks
Research-informed guides, made practical
Clear explanations, classroom examples, implementation steps, and common pitfalls for four frameworks used in modern math and science instruction.
New to the terminology? Browse the STEM teaching glossary →Progressive task sequencing
Thin-Slicing
Thin-slicing is an instructional design strategy that sequences tasks in small, purposeful increments. Each task preserves enough of the previous task to feel accessible while changing one feature that advances the learning. The result is a low-floor progression that helps students notice structure, test ideas, and build toward more complex reasoning without a sudden jump in difficulty.
Read the guideStudent-centered mathematical thinking
Building Thinking Classrooms
Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) is a research-informed framework developed by mathematics education researcher Peter Liljedahl. Its 14 practices are designed to replace passive classroom routines with conditions that sustain student thinking. Widely recognized practices include thinking tasks, visibly random groups, vertical non-permanent surfaces, purposeful teacher questioning, responsive hints and extensions, consolidation from student work, and student-created notes.
Read the guideInquiry-centered learning cycle
5E Model
The 5E Instructional Model is a learning-cycle framework developed by Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS). Its phases—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—organize instruction so students first surface prior ideas and investigate a phenomenon before formal explanations are introduced. The sequence then gives students opportunities to apply learning and demonstrate developing understanding.
Read the guideScientific explanation and argumentation
CER
Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) is a scaffold for constructing scientific explanations and evidence-based arguments. A claim answers the question, evidence supplies relevant data or observations, and reasoning uses scientific principles to explain why the evidence supports the claim. CER makes the structure of explanation visible so teachers can diagnose whether a student is struggling with content knowledge, evidence selection, or logical connection.
Read the guideTurn a framework into a teachable lesson
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