IM 6–8 MATH
Illustrative Mathematics’ collaborative model invites students to talk and write about math, listen to each other’s ideas, justify their thinking, and critique the reasoning of others to further develop their mathematical understanding.
IM 6–8 Math has earned top ratings from EdReports in every review category.
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IM v.360 Math
Ready to get started with IM 6–8 Math?
IM 6–8 Math v.360 DESIGN FEATURES
A coherent progression of learning
IM v.360 is fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards and provides the proper focus, rigor, and coherence required to achieve grade-level mathematics. Courses, units, lessons, activities, and representations are sequenced to help students develop an understanding of mathematical concepts, build fluency with procedures, and solve mathematical problems that reflect their lived experiences. Each unit and lesson is designed to build on what students previously learned and is part of a mathematical story that spans units and grade levels. This coherence allows students to view mathematics as a connected set of ideas.
Academic language development
Students acquire mathematical language by actively exploring and learning mathematics. Tasks encourage students to use informal language while making sense of concepts, and introduce academic language as they strengthen their mathematical understanding. The curriculum provides opportunities to develop mathematical language through social interaction and collaboration, and through the use of math language routines (MLRs). These routines also provide opportunities for English learners to engage in the specialized academic language demands of reading, writing, speaking, listening, conversing, and representing in math.
Instruction that Honors Students’ Experiences
Our approach helps students build positive mathematical identities by offering learning opportunities that reflect their own backgrounds and experiences, while also giving them opportunities to learn from the perspectives of others. In grades 6–8, problem-solving contexts are thoughtfully chosen to connect to students’ everyday lives, fostering a welcoming learning environment and drawing on what students already know about math, language, and the world around them. Throughout the curriculum, students engage in collaborative learning that centers their thinking and supports meaningful participation for every learner.
Embedded teacher supports
Each unit, section, and lesson begins with a narrative that describes the mathematical work ahead, how it connects to prior learning, and how it prepares students for what comes next. Lessons and activities end with a synthesis to help teachers address any misconceptions or questions students may have encountered along the way. Throughout lessons and activities, teachers will find guidance on supporting a wide range of learners—through embedded language supports, UDL guidelines, and enrichment opportunities. Finally, teachers are invited to develop and refine their practice with reflection questions centered around math content, student thinking, and instructional decision-making.
IM 6–8 Math Accelerated Certified by IM
The IM Accelerated Difference
A condensed, comprehensive two-year pathway that addresses all Common Core State Standards
This compressed version of IM 6–8 Math v.360, is a thoughtful alternative to conventional accelerated programs because its design eliminates the possibility of unfinished learning as students arrive at Algebra 1. It includes all of the standards in IM 6–8 Math v.360 and compacts them into a two-year curriculum meant to be covered during grades 6 and 7. The pace is faster than IM 6–8 Math v.360, but no crucial mathematical concepts are excluded.
See also: Guidance for Accelerating Students in Mathematics.
Over 3 million students in more than 1,900 schools and districts have found success with IM Certified Math.
IM 6–8 Math v.360 is rigorous, problem-based, and fully aligned to the Common Core State Standards, with coherence across grade bands. The curriculum is available in both print and digital versions.
IM 6–8 Math earned EdReports’ highest ratings across all three review gateways: focus and coherence; rigor and mathematical practices; and teacher and student supports. EdReports is a highly regarded independent nonprofit that reviews K–12 curricula for standards alignment and quality.
Ready to Get Started with the IM Certified Experience?
Explore IM’s K–12 Math Curriculum
IM® K–12 Math is a free, open educational resource (OER) built to help students learn math by doing math. Access complete lessons online and download printable PDFs at no cost through AccessIM.org.
Connect with an IM Certified® Partner
Looking for printed materials or enhanced digital platform access? Explore options through our IM Certified® Curriculum Distribution Partners to request samples or purchase materials tailored to your school or district’s needs.
Engage in Professional Learning
Strong implementation starts with strong support. Educators and schools can schedule IM Certified® Professional Learning through an IM Certified partner or request professional learning directly from IM.
Implement with Confidence
Bring IM’s research-backed, standards-aligned curriculum to life in your classrooms. Whether you dive in on your own or with support, our Quick Start Guide gives you clear steps, tips, and resources to get up and running.
Have clarifying questions?
Want a more in-depth conversation about curriculum access, digital platforms, or professional learning options? Schedule a conversation with our team.
Already using IM Math, but want to learn more?
Unlock the full potential of IM Math with curriculum-based professional learning—now available directly from IM. For print materials, digital subscriptions, and expanded professional learning opportunities, connect with an IM Certified partner.
IM 6–8 MATH FEATURED CONTENT
Featured IM 6–8 Math Blog Posts
Although families and teachers both understand the importance of a home/school partnership, that relationship is often complicated. As the year gets rolling, both parties may feel short on time to make it work and sometimes even the best intentions conflict. In the spirit of being proactive instead of reactive, we have developed Family Math Night lesson plans and materials for our middle school curriculum.
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IM® v.360 is a high-quality, standards-aligned, problem-based core curriculum that enriches learning environments and reduces access barriers through the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and invitational approaches. While it is not generally intended, designed, nor recommended for use as an academic intervention or as a replacement for specialized academic instruction, students receiving specialized academic support may still benefit from IM v.360’s diverse representations, predictable structure, and real-world connections.
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Have you encountered students who are reluctant to engage in math? Students who have already decided they are “bad” at math? How do we support students whose mathematical identities seem fixed before they even enter our classrooms?
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Discover more on the IM Certified® Blog.
IM Certifed Professional Learning
IM Professional Learning for mathematics is deeply integrated with the curriculum. The program provides teachers and leaders long-term, sustainable support for developing, refining, and reflecting on instructional practices.
IM CERTIFIED® CURRICULUM DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
IM Certified curriculum distribution partners provide the only commercially distributed versions of IM 6–8 Math v.360 certified by Illustrative Mathematics.
Our partners offer the ideal curriculum experience because they are committed to providing IM Certified curricula to all teachers and students as IM intends it to be experienced, in the format needed to ensure success.
Choose an IM Certified Curriculum Distribution Partner
Submit this form and an IM Certified curriculum distribution partner will contact you to discuss your options for accessing IM 6–8 Math v.360.
An Expert-Authored Curriculum
We're Dedicated to Teacher and Student Success
Our curricula are designed by respected thought leaders who share IM’s goal
to create a world where learners know, use, and enjoy mathematics.
William G. McCallum
CEO and Cofounder
Bill McCallum has dedicated his life to helping teachers, educators, mathematicians, and policymakers show fidelity to both mathematical coherence and student learning.
He is an Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at The University of Arizona, where he researches number theory and arithmetical algebraic geometry, authors textbooks, and advises researchers and policymakers. Bill’s work as a lead writer of the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics earned him the Award for Distinguished Public Service from the American Mathematical Society and the Dolciani Award from the Mathematical Association of America.
As CEO and cofounder of Illustrative Mathematics, Bill chairs the organization’s board of directors, helping craft IM’s strategic direction and contributing to the curricula. He also represents IM to funders, at speaking events, and in workshops.
Kristin Umland
President and Cofounder
Kristin Umland believes that by coordinating the expertise of teachers, mathematicians, mathematics educators, and business professionals, we can help all students realize their mathematical potential.
Before joining the IM team, she was an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of New Mexico (UNM). After joining UNM with a PhD in Mathematics, she carried out research in mathematics education, taught pre-service and in-service elementary and secondary teachers, and conducted education outreach at the local, state, and national level. A recipient of both the Louise Hay Award and the AMS Impact Award, Kristin’s goal has always been to improve the mathematical and pedagogical quality of children’s learning experiences.
Kate Nowak
6–12 Curriculum Lead Author
Kate is a writer, teacher, and curriculum designer. After a successful eight years teaching high school mathematics and writing the popular blog f(t), she transitioned into a career in curriculum design.
Kate was the instructional lead author of the IM 6–8 and IM geometry, algebra 1, and algebra 2 curricula, and loves leading teams to create products that help teachers and students know, use, and enjoy mathematics.
Yenche Tioanda
Grade 6 Lead, IM 6–8 Math v.III
Yenche is passionate about learning and helping others learn. Her adventures in mathematics education began in Philadelphia, where she taught high school students as a member of Teach For America and later served as a founding teacher of Science Leadership Academy.
Since then, she has strived to create meaningful learning experiences—in mathematics and beyond—as a curriculum designer, leader of professional learning communities, academic director, and consultant to schools and non-profit organizations.
Yenche served as the lead author of the grade 6 course in the IM 6–8 curriculum, the lead for Algebra 1 in the IM 9–12 curriculum, and a writer for the IM K–5 curriculum.
Yenche holds a BA in Architecture from Washington University in Saint Louis, an MArch from Harvard Design School, and an MS in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Michelle Mourtgos
Grade 7 Lead, IM 6–8 Math v.III
Michelle is motivated by a desire to help teachers enjoy teaching, help students enjoy learning, and build everyone’s sense of self-efficacy.
A middle school math teacher since 2007, Michelle holds an MEd in Curriculum & Supervision from Pennsylvania State University. She received the Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education in 2013.
Michelle was the lead author for grade 7 of the Illustrative Mathematics 6–8 math curriculum.
Ashli Black
Grade 8 Lead, IM 6–8 Math v.III
Ashli is inspired by doing math with other teachers, discussing classroom practice, and reading what research tells us about how to best support student learning. She began her education career as a high school teacher in Washington State. She is a national board certified teacher and an alumna of the Park City Mathematics Institute.
Ashli was the lead writer of the grade 8 and Algebra 2 IM curricula.
Max Ray-Riek
6–12 Writer
Max Ray-Riek is IM’s senior director of teacher professional learning and a contributing writer for the IM high school curriculum. Max is a former secondary mathematics teacher and previously worked for The Math Forum, focusing on fostering problem-solving and making student thinking the center of math class. He is the lead author of Powerful Problem Solving: Activities for Sense Making with the Math Practices.
Max values each student’s ideas and works to help students see themselves as people who can listen, connect, and act mathematically. He finds the art and discipline of teaching to be the hardest, most rewarding, and most important work in the world.
