How I Characterize Math WorkShop style lesson

I like the way the author describes it. So many times teachers want to do "hands on" activities which is a good thing. But teachers need to be mindful that the activities are also "minds on" meaning the student will have to think, solve, and analyze challenging problems. I think that's what a math workshop style lesson is all about. It also allows for multiple strategies. Too many times students are taught one way to solve a problem even though there are 5 or 6 well known strategies they could be taught. A math workshop allows for students to find the strategy that works best for them. I would characterize it as student centered instead of teacher centered. Even though the teacher is present and conferring with students, it's up to the students to solve the problems and not be spoon fed the answers. It also allows for discussion at the end of the workshop by students. It allows the students to recap what they have learned and to talk about it instead of the teacher recapping and giving out exit slips to check for understanding. Student centered and minds on are the best works to characterize math workshops.