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Common Launch

Opening class with shared problem solving to create a culture focused on growth

Context

Navigate Math sessions open with a “Common Launch,” which falls into two formats. In the first, students work on the same question, or similar ones that are leveled, during the first five minutes of each class. Students are seated in teams and are able to discuss the problems with team members. Team members also discuss which goals they are going to work on during the day, which class norm their group wants to focus on, and which team member deserves a “shout out.” In the second format, students work on mental math exercises to practice certain power math skills multiple times throughout the year. Progress is tracked so students can see their growth over time.

Students work together in a group at the start of class.

Student Does

  • Works on individualized mental math exercises, or on solving common problems with their team.
  • Either compares their mental math performance to previous data, or discusses how to solve common problems with their team.
  • Discusses with their team which goals they want to focus on individually.
  • Inputs their goal into the program.
  • Helps make a group decision about what the team wants to focus on for that day.
  • Helps decide who on the team gets a “shout-out.”

Teacher Does

  • Determines whether students should work on mental math or common problem solving.
  • Calls on students randomly to provide answers to problems, or has students review and compare mental math data.
  • Reviews student goals.
  • Completes “housekeeping” actions like checking homework, taking attendance, etc.
  • Calls on each group to provide a “shout-out” to a teammate.

Technology Does

  • Mental math program provides instant results that students and teacher can compare to past performance.
  • Provides single sheet where teacher can see every student’s daily goal.

Students work together in a group at the start of class.Students work on common problems at the start of each class.


Strategy Resources


Screen Shot of LPS Mental Math Log (data sheet)

This is a screenshot of the log students complete at the end of mental math... Learn More

This is a screenshot of the log students complete at the end of mental math problems.
Screenshot of LPS Mental Math Data

LPS students complete mental math exercises at the beginning of class. This is a sample... Learn More

LPS students complete mental math exercises at the beginning of class, this is a sample of the data teachers collect and analyze.