2026 Elevated Teaching Summit

The Amplify Math program is designed to build conceptual understanding through problem-based and hands-on learning complimented by student discourse/conjecture. We have piloted the curriculum and have had time to synthesize its impact on our students, ourselves, and as a grade level. In our presentation, we recognize that some teachers may struggle with how to effectively integrate math manipulatives in ways that truly support the program’s instructional design rather than simply adding “extra materials.”

Our session will provide practical strategies for using manipulatives intentionally within Amplify Math lessons to strengthen conceptual understanding, support struggling learners, and increase student engagement. Participants will explore how physical tools such as base-ten blocks, fraction models, number lines, counters, and area models can be used to bridge concrete, representational, and abstract thinking within Amplify’s problem-based framework.

The session will include classroom examples, model lesson segments, and opportunities for teachers to practice selecting and using manipulatives aligned to specific Amplify activities.
Participants will leave with ready-to-implement strategies for helping students make sense of mathematics through hands-on learning while maintaining fidelity to the Amplify program.

The Amplify Math program is designed to build conceptual understanding through problem-based and hands-on learning complimented by student discourse/conjecture. We have piloted the curriculum and have had time to synthesize its impact on our students, ourselves, and as a grade level. In our presentation, we recognize that some teachers may struggle with how to effectively integrate math manipulatives in ways that truly support the program’s instructional design rather than simply adding “extra materials.”

Our session will provide practical strategies for using manipulatives intentionally within Amplify Math lessons to strengthen conceptual understanding, support struggling learners, and increase student engagement. Participants will explore how physical tools such as base-ten blocks, fraction models, number lines, counters, and area models can be used to bridge concrete, representational, and abstract thinking within Amplify’s problem-based framework.

The session will include classroom examples, model lesson segments, and opportunities for teachers to practice selecting and using manipulatives aligned to specific Amplify activities.
Participants will leave with ready-to-implement strategies for helping students make sense of mathematics through hands-on learning while maintaining fidelity to the Amplify program.

The Amplify Math program is designed to build conceptual understanding through problem-based and hands-on learning complimented by student discourse/conjecture. We have piloted the curriculum and have had time to synthesize its impact on our students, ourselves, and as a grade level. In our presentation, we recognize that some teachers may struggle with how to effectively integrate math manipulatives in ways that truly support the program’s instructional design rather than simply adding “extra materials.”

Our session will provide practical strategies for using manipulatives intentionally within Amplify Math lessons to strengthen conceptual understanding, support struggling learners, and increase student engagement. Participants will explore how physical tools such as base-ten blocks, fraction models, number lines, counters, and area models can be used to bridge concrete, representational, and abstract thinking within Amplify’s problem-based framework.

The session will include classroom examples, model lesson segments, and opportunities for teachers to practice selecting and using manipulatives aligned to specific Amplify activities.
Participants will leave with ready-to-implement strategies for helping students make sense of mathematics through hands-on learning while maintaining fidelity to the Amplify program.

We will present on two strategies- Co-craft questions and QSSSA. We will also talk about assessments adaptions for ML students. Same rigor- different format.

How do we know when students are truly getting it—beyond just producing the correct answer? As we move toward full implementation of Amplify, this session explores how teachers can recognize and capture the evidence of deep thinking that happens during instruction—not just at the end of it. Participants will briefly explore Amplify’s formative assessment tools, then shift into the heart of the work: making student thinking visible through models, discourse, and strategic questioning. Through real classroom examples, we will highlight how teachers use student work and conversation as powerful informal data sources to guide instruction in the moment. Educators will leave with a clear lens for identifying rigorous thinking and practical strategies for elevating and responding to student thinking every day.

In a weight room, the best spotters know exactly when to step in and when to let the athlete do the work. Teaching with Amplify is no different! As we prepare for full implementation next year, join us to explore the "heavy lifting" students need to do to truly grow. We’ll bridge the gap between the pedagogical research (the "why") and real-world classroom evidence of students building confidence by tackling challenges head-on (the "how"). You’ll leave with a clear map for moving from "helper" to "facilitator" and strategies to help your students take ownership of their own learning journey.