What Is Lava?
Lava acts as a first layer of feedback during assignments.
When a student submits an incorrect response, Lava can provide:
hints
guiding questions
feedback on possible mistakes
suggestions for revisiting strategies
The goal is to support productive struggle and encourage students to keep thinking mathematically.
When Students See Lava
Lava is:
available during assignments
supported for students in Grades 4–12
activated after a student’s first incorrect response
Types of Feedback Lava Provides
Lava feedback may:
guide students toward rethinking their approach
suggest checking a specific step or calculation
encourage students to revisit units, signs, or operations
prompt students to try another strategy
Rather than providing answers directly, Lava helps students self-correct and continue working independently.
Why Lava Matters
Lava is designed to support:
independent problem solving
mathematical reflection
confidence building
deeper conceptual understanding
By encouraging students to pause, rethink, and revise their work, Lava helps turn mistakes into meaningful learning opportunities.Tips for Teachers
Important Notes
Lava is intended to support instruction, not replace teacher feedback.
Teachers should continue:
reviewing student work
facilitating discussion
providing instructional guidance
monitoring misconceptions and learning needs
Tips for Teachers
Many teachers use Lava to:
encourage productive struggle
support independent work time
spark classroom discussion about strategies and misconceptions
reinforce that mistakes are part of learning
Teachers may also encourage students to:
carefully read Lava’s hints
reflect before retrying
explain why they changed their approach