by LaToya Byrd and Jenna Laib School looks different this year. It’s easy to focus on the changes that will need to be made—the new practices, the new routines, the new technologies—but we must first focus on our central beliefs about teaching and learning, and use...
instructional routines
Learning through Teaching
Nov 10, 2019
By William McCallum I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago visiting a school using IM 6–8 Math and was inspired by the efforts the school was making to implement problem-based instruction. I saw teachers at different stages on a learning curve with the...
Using Instructional Routines to Inspire Deep Thinking
Oct 13, 2019
We want students to think about math deeply. Creatively. Analytically. Instead, what often happens is that students race towards quick solutions. So what can we do to support this other kind of thinking in class—the slow, deep kind? By Jenna Laib One way is through...
Inviting Students to the Mathematics
Jul 8, 2019
How do we invite students to the mathematics, and explicitly signal to kids that they have ideas that matter in math class? By Max Ray-Riek In this series of blog posts, the first of which is available here, we’re exploring how, in order to be successful in a...
NCSM NCTM Recap
Apr 15, 2019
Illustrative Mathematics It was great to see so many of you at NCSM and NCTM in San Diego. If we missed you, or you weren’t able to attend, read our NCSM and NCTM round-up below. We enjoyed the conversations we had with those of you that are using the IM 6–8 Math...
The Power of Noticing and Wondering
Dec 3, 2018
My first years of teaching, I worried my students looked at me much like Ben Stein as the teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I cringe to think about the series of monotonous and leading questions I strung together to a room of dazed students slowly wilting in front...
What is an instructional routine?
Apr 10, 2018
By William McCallum and Kate Nowak People use routines for all kinds of things. Routines give structure to time and interactions. People like structure. When a child comes home from school, there might be a routine. She expects a snack, homework time, play time,...
to the IM Blog and Newsletter
RECENT POSTS
- From Math Anxiety to Math Confidence (Part 1): Naming the Elephant in the Room Apr 27, 2026
- Empowering Multilingual Learners in Math Apr 14, 2026
- What LEGO Taught Us About Play-Based Learning in Transitional Kindergarten Mar 18, 2026
- Staying Curious in Transitional Kindergarten: What Inquiry Play Reveals About How Students Think Mar 11, 2026
- Fluency Development Within and Across the Grades in IM® K–5 Math Part 4: Multiplication and Division Mar 10, 2026
Categories
- 6–8 Math (144)
- 9–12 Math (115)
- Assessment (1)
- Back to School (7)
- Classroom Community (5)
- Classroom Discourse (6)
- Coaches Corner (10)
- Computational Fluency (2)
- Equity (5)
- Implementation (6)
- In the Classroom (10)
- Instructional Routines (5)
- K–5 Math (153)
- Lesson Planning (3)
- Math Content (4)
- Math Language Routines (3)
- Partners (5)
- Problem-Based Learning (5)
- Professional Learning (95)
- Recent Blog Posts (12)
- Research Studies (1)
- Supports for English Language Learners (1)
- Supports for Students with Disabilities (6)
- TK/PK Math (7)
- Uncategorized (2)
- Unfinished Learning (1)






