Empowering Young Thinkers With Vertical Spaces
Kate – Elementary Teacher, School Math Lead
Tay Shores Public School, Simcoe County District School Board
Three years ago, I read Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl. That book completely changed how I saw my math instruction—and how I set up my learning space.
I wanted my classroom to be a space where students could stand, talk, take risks, and think deeply. So I bought my first set of Wipebook Flipcharts. I haven’t looked back.
“I’ve had the same Wipebooks for three full school years. They erase easily, stay clean, and give students the perfect space to explore and share their thinking.”
To make room for the Flipcharts, I took down most of my bulletin boards and mounted the charts directly on the walls. They’re used every single week, in every type of math learning we do.
Thinking Happens at the Boards
Whether it’s a warm-up, a small-group task, or math centers, students naturally gravitate toward the Flipcharts.
They don’t worry about making mistakes.
They just try.
The non-permanent surface gives students the freedom to take chances. They can erase without a trace, rethink a strategy, or start again—without fear or frustration.
The boards also encourage movement and standing, which makes a big difference. Kids are more alert. They stay focused longer. And they collaborate more.
Collaboration Builds Confidence
We use visibly randomized groups for most math tasks. That means students don’t get to work with the same peers every time.
At first, that was uncomfortable. Now, it’s second nature.
“Wipebooks provide a space where students work alongside everyone in the room. They build relationships and support each other’s thinking.”
When one group gets stuck, they look around. They borrow strategies from nearby groups. They check their reasoning with peers.
It’s not copying. It’s learning from each other.
And students who usually struggle on paper often shine on the boards.
From One Classroom to the Whole School
The impact didn’t stop in my own classroom.
After showing how we use the Flipcharts during PD sessions, our principal started ordering sets for other teachers.
We’ve now had over 50 Flipchart requests across our school.
“For our final PLC, I helped staff request the number of Wipebooks they needed to get started. So far, we have requests for about 50.”
Our hope is that more teachers begin the school year with Wipebook-supported thinking routines. Once they try them, they’ll see the difference right away.
District Leaders—Want to See This Growth in Your Schools?
Wipebook Flipcharts have changed the way we teach and learn math at Tay Shores PS.
Students think more deeply, take more risks, and work better together.
If you're looking for a simple tool to help build a thinking classroom culture, this is it.
Let’s talk.
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