Activate the Lesson: Setting the Stage for High Expectations

Before students ever dive into a new concept, the Activate portion of your lesson determines whether they’re truly ready to think. In this episode, Laneshia models what an intentional Activate sounds like—from synthesizing a spiral warm-up to launching a new problem about dividing fractions with and without models. You’ll hear how she uses questioning, routines, and strategic sequencing to make sense-making visible and connect to the day’s learning goal.

Then, she links classroom moves to the ELEOT “High Expectations” component—exploring what it means for learners to demonstrate and describe high-quality work. Learn how creating exemplars, comparing student samples, and elevating student voice build a culture where excellence is the norm, not the exception.

Tune in to reflect, refine, and reimagine the way you activate learning in your math classroom.

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