Filter by Class from the Imagine EdgeEX Educator Launchpad
April 2025
Quickly find what you’re looking for
Educators can now open the Quick View list for each widget and filter by class.
April 18, 2025 7:21 pm
Powered by Kindness, Driven by Math — Students Reach $1 Million in Charitable Donations!
We have a million reasons to celebrate, and they all start with your students. Together, they’ve turned their Imagine Math THINK points earned by completing lessons into an incredible $1 million in charitable donations — that’s right, $1 million. They solved problems, made progress, earned points, and chose to pay it forward.
Teaching the joy of giving back
Plenty of researchers have theorized why humans give. Is it purely altruism? A sense of community? Or perhaps that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from helping someone else? The truth is, it’s all of these — and more.
In fact, some studies suggest that generosity is an innate trait driven by our need for social connection and belonging. But while children have an enormous capacity for generosity, it does need to be nurtured and reinforced like any other skill. When students are given opportunities to be generous — whether through simple acts of kindness, service projects, or classroom philanthropy — they learn how to give and why it matters.
One powerful way to nurture generosity in school is through service learning, which allows students to connect their academic growth with something meaningful. It turns progress into purpose — and that’s a lesson that lasts.
Imagine Math brings this concept to life through THINK points, which students earn when they complete math lessons, with additional points awarded for performing well. Students can then use these points to design and upgrade their Imagine Math avatars, achieve class goals, or donate to child-centered charitable causes. It’s remarkable how often they choose the latter, paying it forward rather than personally benefiting from their hard-earned points.
How kindness adds up in Imagine Math
Imagine Math lessons completed
Complex math problems solved
THINK points donated
Since the Imagine Learning charitable giving program began in 2008, students have completed a whopping 7.5 million math lessons, solved 301 million complex problems, and donated 4.5 trillion THINK points. It’s incredibly inspiring (and a whole lot of math wins) — but as Lisa Wise, Customer Engagement Manager at Imagine Learning, says, “What’s most inspiring is that these acts of kindness happen without fanfare. Only the student knows when they choose to give. There’s no recognition, no reward — just the simple joy of doing something good for someone else. It’s a powerful reminder that with every math problem solved and every THINK point donated, these students are spreading kindness throughout the world.”
Students share their “why” for giving
Each student has their own reason for donating, but what unites them is a desire to make a difference — to help others.
Here’s what some students had to say about their decision to give back:
Aarush, a student at Shirley Dill Brothers Elementary (Alvin Independent School District, Texas), said, “It was a hard decision to give away all of my hard-earned math points, but what made it easier was the fact that it was going to a very good cause. I feel really bad to see people bullied, and I am glad that finally, I was able to help in my own little way.”
A fourth-grade student at Raceland Upper Elementary School (Lafourche Parish School District, Louisiana) explained that he donated 95,000 THINK points to the 4-H charity because, “I’m in 4-H, and donating meant that other people, along with me, would be able to do fun things in 4-H.”
Akiles L., also a student at Shirley Dill Brothers Elementary, said, “I donated generously to the 4-H charity because it is the right thing to do. It makes me happy when I give my math points to charity because I am earning knowledge and helping people at the same time. I would tell students that it feels good to earn math points, but it feels better to help people in need.”
“At No Kid Hungry, we believe every child deserves a bright future — and that begins with a full stomach and a strong education. We are deeply honored to be part of Imagine Learning’s incredible journey to $1 million in charitable giving. The passion and commitment these students have shown — not just in mastering math, but in lifting up their communities — is truly inspiring. Their efforts are helping build a future where no child goes hungry, and we are so proud to celebrate this milestone with them.”
Motivating students to love math
It just goes to show that when driven by something meaningful, students engage deeply, as evidenced in their math work. They love completing lessons and earning points (and don’t just take our word for it — see it in action).
Over time, these small wins are adding up — not just in charitable donations but in social awareness, stronger community ties, and math skills that will last a lifetime. That kind of growth is every bit as valuable as the donations and just as worth celebrating.
About the author
Anise Lee
Content Marketing Manager
Anise Lee is a Scotland-based writer with a background in education and marketing. She holds degrees in both fields and is particularly interested in storytelling. When she’s not binge-reading fiction or falling down a social media rabbit hole, she’s probably daydreaming about her next vacation — with her cat always nearby.
April 11, 2025 12:17 pm
How Often Should We Assess? Finding the Right Balance for Student Growth
Finding the right balance in student assessment is key to maximizing learning without over-testing. This blog post explores the importance of a strategic assessment approach, highlighting how screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments guide instruction. Discover how data-driven assessments provide meaningful insights while giving educators the flexibility to support student success.
Five students are out sick, your desks are rearranged in straight rows, and for some reason the Chromebooks didn’t charge last night — it must be exam day. It’s tempting to say that we should administer fewer assessments, given that they’re stressful for educators and students alike, but they exist to provide valuable data about student progress. In the quest to get that data, are students being over-tested? Or do they need more frequent check-ins to track progress and prevent gaps from forming (or widening)? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Let’s explore the benefits of a balanced approach to testing.
The purpose of assessment
Assessment is essential for guiding instruction, but they don’t all serve the same purpose.
It looks like a lot, probably because it is! But by using a strategic mix of screening, diagnostic, and formative assessments teachers can ensure they have actionable data while minimizing over-testing.
Best practices for assessment scheduling
To maximize the impact of assessments while minimizing disruptions, educators can follow a structured approach:
- Screening at key points — Conduct screening assessments at the beginning of the year (or when a student is new) to establish a baseline for learning needs
- Diagnostic assessments for targeted insights — Use diagnostic assessments periodically, such as mid-year, to measure progress and adjust instruction accordingly
- Frequent formative assessments — Integrate formative assessments (they can be small, like an exit ticket) into daily instruction to monitor understanding and adjust teaching in real time
- Summative assessments with purpose — Administer summative assessments at the end of a unit, semester, or school year to evaluate overall learning, but use them strategically rather than frequently.
Using data effectively without over-testing
A unified assessment suite, like Imagine+ Assessment, helps educators strike the right balance by providing high-quality data without excessive testing. Instead of overwhelming students with assessments, educators can focus on actionable insights that directly impact instruction.
Prioritizing quality over quantity
Meaningful assessments are more valuable than frequent ones. Imagine+ Diagnostic delivers precise, research-backed insights that help educators make informed decisions without unnecessary testing.
Leveraging technology for efficiency
With automated data collection and real-time analytics, Imagine+ Assessment streamlines the process, reducing teacher workload and making student progress easier to track.
Making data-driven decisions
Assessment results should drive instruction, not just record progress. Imagine+ Assessment helps educators group students, personalize learning, and identify areas for intervention to ensure every student receives the right support.
Assessments should work for educators and students — not add unnecessary stress or take away from valuable learning time. The key is finding the right balance, using a strategic mix of screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments to gather meaningful data without overburdening classrooms. When assessments are thoughtfully planned and used to drive instruction, they become a powerful tool for identifying student needs, guiding intervention, and ensuring progress. By prioritizing quality over quantity, educators can worry less about desk arrangements and Chromebook chargers and focus on what matters most — helping students grow and succeed.
About the Author – Ally Jones
Ally Jones is a former high school educator who specialized in teaching English language learners. Outside of education, she is passionate about fitness, literature, and taking care of the planet for her son’s generation.
March 31, 2025 7:00 am
The Business Of Education: Our Nation Is Still At Risk
Published by: Forbes
Sari Factor, Chief Strategy Officer at Imagine Learning, shares why we must reimagine how we serve students — through innovation, accountability, and a deep sense of urgency.
May include subscriber-only content
Course Options Summary Report in Imagine EdgeEX
March 2025
View course options for all courses and sections
Administrators can now view a summary of the course options set for all their Imagine EdgeEX courses and sections. This report is visible to any administrator with permission to view district reports.
New Student Accommodations in Imagine EdgeEX
March 2025
Screen reader and deaf or hard of hearing accommodations available
Educators can now set accommodations for students who use a screen reader and/or are deaf or hard of hearing in the student options. Once set, they will apply to all Imagine EdgeEX enrollments for that student.
Weekly Activity Report Now Displays Totals in Imagine EdgeEX
March 2025
Quickly view activity totals for each student
The Weekly Activity Report now displays total active time and total completed activities, quizzes, tests, and exams for each student weekly.
Updated Threshold to Unlock Ninja Mode in Imagine Math Facts
March 2025
Access Ninja Mode with 90% pass rate
Students can now unlock Ninja Mode, a challenging enrichment activity that students earn after showing fluency in at least two operations, with a 90% pass rate. This threshold was updated to match the passing rate of the post-test for each operation. For additional information on this update, please consult these Help Center articles:
Printable Teacher Editions, Twig Books, and Twig Journals Now Available
March 2025
Increased printing flexibility
All Twig Science elementary teacher editions and Twig Books/Twig Journals are now printable directly from the platform via the PDF viewer. This update gives teachers greater flexibility — whether you need to print select pages for a lesson or additional copies for reference.
Reminder: As noted at the bottom of each page, unauthorized commercial or large-scale printing is prohibited.
Twig Science Reporter Format Changes
March 2025
Updates to weekly science news
We’ve made some changes to the Twig Science Reporter format to ensure we can continue to deliver a weekly science news source.
Changes:
- Kahoot quiz discontinued
- Occasional shortened episodes
You can still expect:
- Episodes available in English and Spanish
- Classroom supports to help students engage with the story
Sign up to get the weekly updates at twigsciencereporter.com or subscribe to the Twig Science Reporter YouTube channel for video only access.