May’s New Features and Improvements
Sing it with me: "School's Out For Summer!"
Everyone at Next Gen Math is wishing you a restful, rejuvenating break. As always, we are grateful for all you do to help students reach their fullest potential—as learners and as mathematicians.
Now it’s time for you: drink your coffee while it’s still hot, eat lunch sitting down, and take a long, well-earned nap.
May has been another productive month here at Next Gen. We’re heading full-speed into summer with exciting new features, and more on the way! Here’s a quick preview:
Next Gen Math Summer School is official
Our Blended Learning tool now includes acceleration activities
Key academic vocabulary is embedded throughout the platform
AI-powered lessons are rolling out in Algebra I, with more coming soon
Read on for the full scoop.
Improvements & Enhancements:
Enhanced aggregations and filters for Engagement Analytics
13 new stems
Sneak preview of Summer School
Several stem updates and refinements
New Features:
Blended Learning Acceleration Groups
Vocabulary Pop-ups and Math Glossary
New AI-Powered Lessons in Algebra I (via Standards Builder)
Two Tasks Before You Go:
Book your Back-to-School PD now. August/September are filling up fast!
Reminder: Download your data before summer rollover
Quick Tip:
End-of-Year Platform Organization
New Feature: Blended Learning Acceleration Groups
When we hear “intervention,” most educators think immediately of students who struggle–those we are always seeking new ways to support. And they absolutely need our help.
But intervention is also for students who are at or above grade level. Our Blended Learning feature has always provided teachers with one-click tools to respond to individual student needs. With this update, you’ll now also see an Accelerated Learning activity option for students who show proficiency. These assignments draw from vertically aligned standards–either from the same grade level or from future ones.
Assign it with instructional videos enabled, so your students can collaborate and build skills independently–freeing you up to work with those who need direct support. Everyone moves forward, no cloning required.
Learn more:
New Feature: Vocabulary Pop-Ups and Glossary
“I signed up for math, not a word problem wrapped in a vocabulary quiz.”
–Every student, ever
It’s true–math is more than just numbers! Students need specific academic language to make sense of what is being asked of them. All students, but particularly English Language Learners, benefit from vocabulary in context–right when and where they need it.
Now, within Standards Builder, key academic vocabulary is underlined in blue. When students hover over the word, they’ll see a simple definition. Bonus: we’ve added a full glossary organized by grade level.
You can enable this feature during practice or instruction (it pairs well with our instructional videos and text-to-speech supports). Turn it off during assessments or checks for understanding to maintain rigor.
New Feature: AI-Powered Lesson in Algebra I
(Coming soon to all grade levels!)
Let’s face it–you’re already doing the work of three people (on a good day). So when we say we’ve added something to the platform that can help reach more students and save you time, we mean it.
Our newest addition is AI-powered lessons, embedded directly in Algebra I assignments via Standards Builder. These lessons are designed to do the heavy lifting when you can’t be Everything, Everywhere All at Once.
When enabled, students can see a guided, step-by-step walkthrough of each problem–just like a teacher would model it. (Okay, without your keen sense of humor and uncanny ability to know who’s on task at all times, but you get the idea.)
Here’s what our AI lessons include:
Key Concepts to set the stage for understanding
Step-By-Step explanations for each answer option–including why wrong answers are wrong
Embedded hints and reminders to encourage productive struggle
Accessibility supports, like text-to-speech and Spanish translation
Whether for practice, review, or scaffolding new content, these lessons are there when students need help—and you need a minute.
Quick Tip: End-of-Year Organizing
Let’s be real– no one loves cleaning their classroom at the end of the school year. It’s overwhelming: the pencil nubs, crumpled papers, the stack graded assignments you forgot to pass back. (It’s ok. We’ve all done it.)
BUT that feeling in the fall when you open your classroom door to the smell of newly-waxed floors? Magic.
It can be the same with your Next Gen Math platform, minus the wax. Here are a few ways to organize your 2024-2025 assignments so September-you will be forever grateful to June-you.
Why it matters:
At rollover, your Assignment Data page is wiped clean. (See last month’s Quick Tip for more info.) But your My Collection page is your digital filing cabinet—and it can get messy fast.
Tips:
Create folders with specific labels. Instead of just “Exit Tickets,” try “Fall Exit Tickets.”
Use subfolders: Try one for “Exit Tickets” with subfolders for “Quarter 1” or “Unit 3.”
Make a folder for the whole year: A “2024–2025” folder with nested units can save hours in August.
Feeling ambitious? Start creating next year’s folders now. Ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? Do this before summer-induced amnesia sets in!
When reviewing old assignments:
Sort by Newest, Oldest, or alphabetically
Filter by Label (reason #73 to use them!)
Use the top-of-page filters to refine even more
Learn More:
Sorting and Filtering in My Collection
We’ll be taking a short blog break ourselves, so look for the next blog in August!
Enjoy that nap.