The beginning of a new school year is filled with possibility. Classrooms buzz with energy, students arrive with fresh notebooks and open minds, and educators stand ready to guide and inspire. But as every teacher knows, sustaining that momentum takes more than good intentions—it takes thoughtful planning, purposeful routines, and the right support at every turn.
At Illustrative Mathematics, we know that teachers go the extra mile for their students every single day. That’s why we’re here to fuel your journey—not just at the starting line, but all year long. This curated collection of blog posts offers practical strategies, inspiring stories, and research-backed tools to help you build strong math communities, elevate student voice, and navigate the twists and turns of the 2025–2026 school year with confidence.
Whether you’re launching IM for the first time or deepening your implementation, you’ll find something in these posts to energize your practice and support every learner. From fostering classroom participation to planning for long-term success, these reads are here to help you start strong and stay strong—all year long.
Let’s hit the road, together.
Preparation Matters: Using Strategic Planning to Maintain the Magic in Math Communities All Year Long
As a new school year begins, that fresh-start feeling is in the air—but how can you make it last beyond the first few weeks? In this blog post, IM Certified® Facilitator Meredith Dadigan Abel shares how strategic planning can help teachers build thriving classrooms from day one through the final bell. From leveraging speaking and listening standards to fine-tuning routines and professional learning communities (PLCs), this post is packed with actionable strategies to help educators prepare for a year where every student feels seen, heard, and empowered as a mathematician.
Start strong—and make the magic last all year long. (Read more…)
Fostering Teaching Practices to Nurture Opportunities for Students to Shine
Want every student to feel like a math person? Start here! This powerful post reveals how IM’s instructional routines—like warm-ups and math language routines—can transform student engagement and help all learners build positive math identities. Through consistent opportunities to share ideas, refine thinking, and feel valued, even the most reluctant students begin to see themselves as capable mathematicians. Whether you’re supporting multilingual learners, students with disabilities, or anyone who’s ever said “I’m just not good at math,” this post offers strategies that help every student shine.
Discover how structured routines can unlock student confidence and joy in math. (Read more…)
Think Pair Share
Getting students to share their ideas in math class isn’t easy. But when we create space for everyone to contribute, we open the door to deeper understanding, greater equity, and stronger classroom community. In this post, IM’s Jennifer Wilson shares how the Think-Pair-Share routine helped shift her classroom from teacher-centered to student-driven. From building trust in quiet think time to honoring every voice, her reflections offer practical insights for using this simple routine to elevate student thinking and transform participation.
Discover how slowing down the conversation can speed up student learning. (Read more…)
Empowering All Storytellers: Tips for Engaging Special Populations Using IM® v.360 for Grade 6–12
What does it look like to support students with disabilities in a rigorous, grade-level math class? In this post, you’ll learn strategies for using IM® v.360 in ways that honor the strengths and needs of all learners—especially those receiving specialized academic support.From intentional planning and thoughtful use of lesson-level supports to creative co-teaching strategies and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches, this post offers a practical guide for inclusive, empowering instruction. You’ll also find real-world examples of how IM’s flexible routines, consistent structure, and invitational design can help all students participate, grow, and thrive.
Explore how IM v.360 can support every student in telling their math story. (Read more…)
Annotate and Acknowledge
Looking for a simple move that builds student confidence and community? In this post, IM Certified® Facilitator Jen Hawkins reminds us that how we start math class matters. By intentionally annotating student thinking during lesson launches, teachers send a powerful message: Your ideas matter here. This simple, high-leverage move boosts student confidence, promotes equity, and lays the foundation for a vibrant math community.
Whether you’re thinking about warm-ups, discourse, or classroom setup, this post is full of practical tips to help every student feel seen, heard, and ready to engage in meaningful mathematics.
Start the year strong by learning how to launch math lessons with purpose. (Read more…)
Reintroducing the IMplementation Reflection Tool
The newly redesigned IMplementation Reflection Tool (IRT) from Illustrative Mathematics offers a powerful, effective way to strengthen how your school or district implements IM Certified® Math. This post walks you through the key updates across the tool’s three core sections: Systemic Leadership, Collaborative Learning, and Classroom Implementation.You’ll learn how the latest version of the IRT supports a more holistic and practical reflection process—focused on structures, mindsets, and practices that make problem-based teaching and learning successful for all students. Whether you’re a principal, coach, or classroom teacher, the IRT meets you where you are and supports meaningful conversations and growth.
Explore how the updated IRT can guide your next step in implementing IM with intention this year. (Read more…)
At Illustrative Mathematics, we believe that when educators thrive, students thrive too. Whether you’re launching new routines, refining your teaching strategies, or reflecting on implementation, we’re here to fuel your journey every step of the way. As the 2025–2026 school year unfolds, we hope these resources help you feel confident, connected, and equipped to create math classrooms where all students can succeed—and see themselves as mathematicians. Here’s to a joyful, empowering year of learning with IM Math. Let’s go further, together!
Next Steps:
- Create a free account on AccessIM.org to explore our full curriculum and classroom-ready resources.
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- Learn about IM’s expert-led professional learning sessions designed to meet you where you are.
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- Book a call with us to ask a question or go deeper.
