Classrooms are places of mistakes and misconceptions, and this Japanese teacher gives an example of how to use these in a productive way to drive learning. The teacher asks students to publically share their challenges while working on a complex problem, making challenges and difficulties seem normal. In particular, he asks the students to unpack the specific issues they encountered in mathematical language, before inviting students who solved the problem to find their struggling peers and support their learning.

This is an urban, public school. Watch out for how the teacher:
- Encourages students to share their challenges with each other

- Explores students’ difficulties in detail

- Asks students to assist each other with solving the problem

How do you encourage risk-taking in your own classroom?