Lava is our built-in intelligent support system, our very own hintbot, designed to provide students with immediate, helpful nudges when they're working through math problems.
Who is Lava?
Lava is the first layer of feedback students receive when working in Magma Math. Lava appears after a student's first incorrect attempt as a hint or guide to help. Instead of simply marking answers right or wrong, Lava acts as a guide on the side, providing gentle prompts or questions that help students think critically about their work. ]
When Do Students See Lava?
Lava appears during assignments only. Currently, Lava feedback is available for students in grades 4 through 12. Lava typically activates when a student submits their first incorrect response.
What Kind of Feedback Does Lava Give?
Lava feedback may include:
Hints or questions that guide students toward rethinking their approach
Suggestions to check a specific part of their work (e.g., units, number signs, calculation steps)
Prompts that encourage retrying a problem with a different strategy
Lava helps students self-correct and develop a deeper understanding of the math concepts at hand.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
While Lava is a helpful tool, she's not perfect. She continues to learn and improve, but teachers should still review student work and provide guidance where needed. Lava is most effective when combined with classroom instruction and teacher-led support.
Why Lava Matters
We believe students learn best when they’re empowered to reflect and explore. Lava is built to:
Encourage independent thinking
Provide support without giving away the answer
Make mistakes a meaningful part of the learning process
Tips for Teachers
Encourage students to read and respond to Lava feedback thoughtfully.
Use Lava moments as discussion starters during class.
Remind students that it’s okay to make mistakes, Lava is there to help them learn from them.