IXL Algebra: Growing Minds in Numbers!

High School Grade Project 4 weeks

IXL Algebra: Growing Minds in Numbers!

Nina D

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B.6

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Academic Mindset

Effective Communication

Self Directed Learning

+ 1 more

1-pager

Purpose

In this project, high school students will engage in a dynamic exploration of mathematical growth by analyzing their IXL data, using it to create meaningful visual representations and oral reflections. Over the course of four weeks, they will build essential skills in critical thinking, self-reflection, and effective communication while capturing their math progression through interactive digital portfolios, podcasts, and informative web pages. Through a hands-on approach that champions student agency, learners will investigate what success in math looks like for them, share insights, and cultivate a collaborative classroom community dedicated to continuous growth and mastery.

Learning goals

Students will effectively graph and analyze IXL data, identifying trends, calculating averages, and labeling key graph components. They will deepen their mathematical understanding by reflecting on personal growth and overcoming learning challenges, fostering an academic mindset. Throughout the project, learners will strengthen critical thinking, communication, and self-directed learning skills by engaging in peer-teaching sessions and feedback loops, while also developing digital portfolios and podcasts to articulate their math journey.

Competencies

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.

Products

Students will design and maintain an interactive digital portfolio showcasing their IXL progress, annotated graphs, and personal math growth reflections. They will create podcasts reflecting on their learning journey and insights, which will be accessible via QR codes on their exhibition posters. Additionally, students will construct an informative webpage featuring individual graph analyses and audio narratives to convey their mathematical progress and strategies for improvement.

Launch

Kick off the learning experience with an interactive 'IXL Data Expedition Day,' where students embark on a classroom scavenger hunt. They will decipher and analyze various graphs and data patterns from IXL, providing a hands-on approach to lay the groundwork for deeper analysis and reflection. This engaging activity fosters excitement and curiosity, setting the tone for students to explore their personal mathematical growth journey over the course of the project.

Exhibition

Students will present their Math Growth Gallery Walk, displaying colorful posters with graph data visuals, personal reflections, and responses to their essential question. Each student will include QR codes linking to their digital portfolio and podcasts for a comprehensive showcase. Classmates and teachers are encouraged to engage in conversations, providing a platform for meaningful exchanges about mathematical journey insights and growth.

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can identify basic patterns in my IXL data and attempt to create graphs, recognizing key trends and beginning to ask questions about what these patterns reveal about my mathematical growth, even if I need additional guidance to fully interpret the results.	I can describe multiple approaches or strategies that I explored while analyzing IXL data to solve a challenging math problem, and I can identify how these strategies helped me understand the data better.	I can effectively analyze and interpret my IXL data by identifying patterns and trends I compare my findings with my classmates and use evidence from our discussions to refine my understanding I confidently explain my analysis to others, showing how I've learned from my data to improve my problem-solving strategies.	I can thoughtfully evaluate and interpret complex IXL data reports by identifying significant trends and patterns, and I use innovative methods to address and understand questions that matter to me and my community I can create insightful, annotated visuals that clearly convey my analysis and can effectively communicate my findings through digital portfolios and podcasts, demonstrating both my mathematical growth and critical thinking abilities.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Academic Mindset	I explore different ways to increase my confidence in math by reflecting on what I've learned from analyzing IXL data and discussing my progress with others I use this reflection to set personal goals and recognize patterns in my growth, identifying areas where I can improve while celebrating my successes.	I can actively engage with my IXL data to recognize trends and patterns, apply feedback from my peers and teachers to improve my analysis, and reflect on my growth journey by identifying specific challenges I have overcome.	I can reflect on my math growth by analyzing my IXL data, identify key trends and challenges I faced, and explain how overcoming these challenges helps me believe in my ability to succeed I can confidently share my journey and insights with my classmates, using graphs, podcasts, and webpages that I created to support my thoughts and experiences.	I confidently analyze my IXL data to identify patterns in my math growth, making connections between my progress and personal learning strategies I showcase my understanding through detailed reflections and presentations, highlighting how my mindset has evolved, and I demonstrate the ability to evaluate mathematical data by considering multiple perspectives and implications.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Effective Communication	I can express my math learning journey by sharing my ideas clearly and respectfully with others, using graphs, data examples, and key points from my reflections I use feedback from others to improve my explanations and ensure my main ideas are understood.	I can explain my math growth journey by using specific examples from my IXL data, and share my findings with others through my digital portfolio and podcast, ensuring my ideas are clear and engaging.	I can confidently explain and discuss my mathematical growth journey with my peers and teachers, using appropriate technical language and clear visual displays I actively listen to others' feedback and incorporate it to improve my interactive portfolio and podcasts, ensuring my presentations are engaging and insightful.	I can effectively communicate my mathematical journey by creating detailed and accurate graph analyses and insightful audio reflections I use technical vocabulary to explain how I identified trends and calculated averages based on my IXL data, and I incorporate personal reflections to convey my growth and learning strategies through my digital portfolio, podcast, and webpage.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Self Directed Learning	I can identify areas where I need support by using feedback from my teacher or classmates, and I set specific goals to improve my understanding and skills in analyzing my IXL math data.	I can use feedback from my peers and teacher to make improvements in my digital portfolio, analyze data trends in IXL, and effectively communicate my learning progression in my podcast.	I can effectively use feedback from my teacher and peers to monitor my own learning, identify areas for improvement in my IXL data analysis, and take specific actions to enhance my understanding of key mathematical concepts.	I can monitor my learning with confidence, using teacher and peer feedback to improve my strategies for analyzing IXL data I actively seek opportunities to reflect on my mathematical progress and apply self-directed insights across my digital portfolio and podcasts, clearly articulating trends and averages that demonstrate my growing expertise.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Content Expertise	I can identify basic patterns in my IXL data and make simple graphs to show some parts of my math growth journey I am beginning to explain what these patterns mean and relate them to my learning with some guidance.	I can recognize and describe basic patterns and trends in my IXL data graphs, identifying key components such as averages correctly, and I sometimes use feedback to understand my progress and areas for improvement.	I can create detailed graphs of my IXL data, clearly labeling all components and trends I evaluate data reports with keen insight, identifying patterns and implications that illustrate my mathematical journey and personal growth.	I can expertly evaluate and utilize my IXL data to identify and communicate trends, calculate averages, and analyze reports, showcasing my ability to apply mathematical concepts to create detailed graphs and reflections My digital portfolio reflects an in-depth understanding of my mathematical journey, clearly articulating strategies for improvement and demonstrating mastery in both content knowledge and effective communication.

Learning Journey

Define

Academic Mindset

Students will synthesize their IXL data and reflections into a concise problem statement, identifying key trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in their mathematical growth journey.

Day 2

Milestone Activities

Frame Math Growth Challenge

Deliverable 60m

Students work in small groups to translate their IXL data and reflections into a problem definition. They will produce a POV statement grounded in their experiences, craft 2-3 How Might We questions that reframes growth challenges, create a user persona representing their learning context, and sketch a simple problem tree or systems map that highlights trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement. Groups will briefly present drafts to a nearby peer for feedback and iterate to strengthen their artifacts for inclusion in their digital portfolios and upcoming exhibitions.

Ideate

Effective Communication

Students will brainstorm and sketch diverse designs for interactive digital portfolios, determining key elements such as data visualization techniques, themes for written reflections, and creative approaches for presenting podcasts, to visually and audibly convey their mathematical growth and insights.

Days 3 - 4

Milestone Activities

Concept Brainstorm & Sketches

Deliverable 90m

Students generate a wide range of ideas for their interactive digital portfolio by documenting potential data visualizations, reflection themes, and podcast presentation approaches. They produce brainstorming notes, concept sketches or storyboards, and a feasibility/impact matrix to compare ideas. The top three concepts with rationale are selected to guide future refinements. This work centers on divergent thinking with an eye toward real user needs and sets the stage for iterative design and feedback later in the project.

Prototype

Self Directed Learning

Students will create draft versions of their digital portfolios, incorporating interactive graphs and audio reflections to test their designs and receive proactive feedback from peers, refining these elements for clearer storytelling of their math learning journey.

Days 5 - 6

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Test/Present

Content Expertise

Students will present their digital portfolios and graphs in a Math Growth Gallery Walk, where they share reflections with peers and receive feedback to validate their solutions before hosting a student-led seminar to discuss insights with the classroom community.

Days 7 - 8

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2
Phase	Define
Activities	No activities added	Frame Math Growth Challenge Deliverable 60m
Preparation

Week 2	Day 3	Day 4
Phase	Ideate
Activities	Concept Brainstorm & Sketches Deliverable 90m	No activities added
Preparation

Week 3	Day 5	Day 6
Phase	Prototype
Activities	No activities added	No activities added
Preparation

Week 4	Day 7	Day 8
Phase	Test/Present
Activities	No activities added	No activities added
Preparation