“…In cognitively activating lessons, teachers confront their students with complex tasks, explore their ideas and thinking processes, encourage classwide discussions, and activate prior knowledge (Lipowsky et al ., ; Pianta & Hamre, ). Previous research has shown that students experiencing a high level of cognitive activation also show higher achievement gains (Baumert et al ., ; Fauth, Decristan, Rieser, Klieme, & Büttner, ; Mashburn et al ., ).…”