Middle School Math Pilot

Amplify Desmos

https://amplify.com/caregiver-hub/amplify-desmos-math-6-12/

Student-centered instruction

Student-centered instruction may look different from the way you learned math. It aims to create a learning environment where students feel empowered and engaged in their own learning journey, providing them opportunities to figure out how math works instead of simply memorizing formulas and tricks. They learn to communicate both verbally and in writing, come to understand and challenge the opinions of others, and build confidence. This approach enables students to remember what they learn and apply their knowledge to new situations.

Here are some other benefits to student-centered instruction:

Research shows that students and teachers prefer this method.
Students perform better on standardized tests and have more growth in their grades.
Teachers report that student-centered instruction helps their students learn more math.
Students develop key skills for success in college, the workplace, and beyond, such as using technology, completing projects independently and with others, and persevering through challenges.

Components of a lesson

A typical Amplify Desmos Math lesson includes:

Warm-Up: An open-ended question or interaction to draw students into the lesson.
Activities: One to three activities that make up the heart of each lesson.
You’re Invited to Explore More: Problems that invite students to explore a concept—often beyond the scope of the lesson—more deeply. These problems are intentionally available to all learners.
Synthesis: An opportunity for students to put the key ideas from the lesson into their own words.
Show What You Know and Reflection: A check for understanding focused on key concepts from the lesson.
Centers (grades K–5 only): Student-led activity stations that reinforce the math learned during lesson activities through interactive and often game-like formats. In kindergarten and grade 1, time for Centers is built into the last 15 minutes of every lesson.
Practice: Additional problems your student’s teacher may assign, including practice about the current lesson and review from previous lessons and units.

Get more information.

Have a question about Amplify Desmos Math? Visit our help library to search for articles with answers to your program questions. For additional support, please contact your student’s teacher.

Does your child’s class also use mCLASS Math assessments? Explore the mCLASS Math Caregiver Hub to find additional resources and support!

EnVision+

Let's Model in 3 Acts

As you move through the program, you’ll see Let’s Model in 3 Acts lessons. These low-floor, high-ceiling tasks give students authentic opportunities to apply new math concepts to real-life situations.

Why use 3-Act Math?
These short, engaging lessons:

Spark mathematical discourse
Build intrigue with real-world video prompts
Encourage collaboration and teamwork
Offer natural checkpoints for formative assessment

Where to find them:

Student-facing lessons are in all topics and the Student Edition. Teacher support is available in the Teacher’s Edition and digitally in the Let's Model in 3 Acts folder at the Topic level. These lessons are to be taught within the sequence of the Topic (before or after specific lessons).

Act 1: The Hook

Play the video. Ask students to jot down what they notice and wonder as they watch. After the brainstorming, introduce the Main Question they’ll be working to answer. Remind students to record their questions and initial conjectures as part of their thinking process.

Act 2: The Model

Before data: Guide students to think about the task. Ask them how they might figure out the answer and what information they would need to get there. Encourage brainstorming without giving away the solution.

Provide data: Reveal the video and use it to supply the necessary information. Have students record the data—using a table or organizer can make this easier to track. Once they’ve gathered the information, prompt them to look for patterns, discuss possible strategies, and use the evidence to answer the Main Question.

Act 3: The Solution

Play the solution video. Show students the video that reveals the solution to the Main Question. Use this as an opportunity to review and discuss strategies, highlighting both correct approaches and common errors or misconceptions. Each Let’s Model lesson also includes a Sequel, for early finishers or for those who want to dive deeper into the problem.

Bringing the

CA Math Framework to Life

Framework-Aligned Instruction
The 2023 CA Math Framework prioritizes big ideas, open tasks, and active student engagement as the foundation of equitable, rigorous instruction. Students learn best through questioning, problem-solving, reasoning, and making connections in real-world contexts. It also stresses the value of “low-floor, high-ceiling” tasks that all students can access while still challenging advanced thinkers.

Let’s Model in 3 Acts aligns with this vision. Each lesson begins with a real-world scenario that sparks curiosity (why), moves into data analysis and reasoning (how), and concludes with applying findings to solve meaningful problems (what). This structure mirrors the Framework’s call to integrate the Drivers of Investigation, the Standards for Mathematical Practice, and the Content Connections.

How enVision+ Supports This

Active Engagement: Students notice, wonder, and ask questions before data is revealed, driving inquiry.
Open Tasks: The Main Question offers multiple entry points and solution paths, ensuring access while deepening reasoning.
Mathematical Discourse: Students share strategies and critique reasoning, fostering collaboration and meaningful discussion.
Real-World Connections: Video scenarios link math to students’ experiences, making learning relevant and engaging.

Got questions? Need a quick walkthrough or just want to connect?

Feel free to schedule a virtual meeting with JULIA COOK by clicking on her name