Magma Math helps teachers spark richer mathematical conversations by analyzing student work and generating ready-to-use discussion routines. Based on student solutions, Magma automatically creates discussion questions and highlights the most relevant student work to support meaningful classroom conversations.
What Are Discussion Routines?
Discussion Routines are AI-generated classroom conversations built from:
The assignment problem
Student solution strategies
Common misconceptions
Patterns in student responses
Each routine includes:
AI-generated discussion questions
Automatically pinned student solutions that best support the conversation
Teachers can use these routines to:
Facilitate whole-class discussions
Guide small-group conversations
Highlight mathematical reasoning
Address common misconceptions
Support lesson planning
Available Discussion Routines
When viewing a problem, teachers can choose from four discussion routines:
General Discussion
Generates broad discussion questions based on overall student thinking. Magma automatically pins student solutions that best match the generated discussion prompts.
Common Error
Highlights common misconceptions and mistakes made by students. Solutions containing the identified errors are automatically pinned to support discussion.
Good Calculations
Surfaces strong examples of mathematical thinking and well-executed solution strategies. Student work demonstrating effective reasoning is automatically pinned.
Same but Different
Identifies two students who reached the same correct answer using different approaches. This routine helps students compare multiple valid strategies for solving the same problem.
How to Use Discussion Routines
Open an assignment.
Open the Heatmap.
Select a problem to open the Problem View.
Choose one of the four discussion routines:
General Discussion
Common Error
Good Calculations
Same but Different
Review the AI-generated discussion questions.
Use the automatically pinned student solutions to guide your classroom discussion.
How Teachers Use Discussion Points
Teachers commonly use Discussion Routines to:
Launch mathematical discussions
Explore common misconceptions
Compare multiple solution strategies
Celebrate effective mathematical reasoning
Encourage students to explain and defend their thinking
Make classroom conversations more relevant by using authentic student work
Because the discussion questions and pinned solutions are generated directly from your students' responses, every conversation is grounded in your class's current understanding.
Important Notes
Discussion Routines are only visible to teachers.
Students cannot view the discussion questions or pinned solutions.
Student solutions are automatically selected based on the chosen discussion routine.
Discussion questions cannot currently be edited within Magma.
Teachers can copy discussion questions into lesson plans or presentation materials if desired.