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What is this Feature?

🧪 This feature is currently in BETA and available to all users
The Illustrative Mathematics Knowledge Graph Tool transforms your Playlab apps by providing direct access to a comprehensive database of curriculum content, educational standards, lesson materials, and instructional resources from Illustrative Mathematics. Rather than relying on generic AI responses about math concepts, your app can now query specific, curriculum-aligned content that understands how every mathematical concept connects within the IM framework.
Enabling this tool will modify your app’s behavior to prioritize specific IM curriculum queries over general mathematical responses.

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Watch How to Leverage the IM Knowledge Graph Tool

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Setup Instructions

1

Open Tools Panel

Navigate to the Tools section in your Playlab builder interface.
2

Enable the IM Knowledge Graph Tool

Select Illustrative Mathematics Knowledge Graph Tool from the available MCP tools list.Adding IM Knowledge Graph Tool to Playlab
3

Configure Your App Prompt

Add these instructions to your Playlab app prompt for optimal performance:
4

Test Different Query Types

Validate the tool works correctly by testing various query categories:Concept Queries: “How does IM approach teaching fractions in grade 3?”Resource Requests: “Find IM activities for area and perimeter introduction”Standards Alignment: “What standards does IM Grade 5 Unit 4 cover?”Learning Progressions: “How does IM sequence ratio and proportion concepts?”
5

Optimize Integration

Refine your app instructions based on testing results to maximize the tool’s effectiveness for your specific use case.

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Understanding Knowledge Graphs in Education

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What Makes This Different

A curriculum knowledge graph goes beyond simple content storage. It maps the relationships between educational concepts, learning objectives, and teaching strategies in ways that mirror how students actually learn and how expert educators design instruction.

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The IM360 Advantage

This knowledge graph captures the pedagogical reasoning behind Illustrative Mathematics curriculum design. It understands:
  • Sequential Logic: Why concepts appear in specific order
  • Conceptual Connections: How mathematical ideas build upon each other
  • Teaching Strategies: Specific IM approaches to common misconceptions
  • Assessment Integration: How formative and summative assessments align

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Key Capabilities

Curriculum Content Access

Query specific lesson plans, activities, and instructional materials aligned to IM’s research-based scope and sequence

Standards Integration

Find direct connections between IM content and educational standards across all grade levels

Learning Progression Mapping

Understand conceptual development within the IM curriculum framework and across grade levels

Assessment Resources

Access formative and summative assessment materials, rubrics, and evaluation strategies

Prerequisite Analysis

Identify essential prior knowledge students need before tackling specific concepts

Cross-Curricular Connections

Discover how mathematical concepts connect across different units, topics, and grade levels

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Use Case Examples

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tier 1 Performance (Recommended):
  • Claude Sonnet 4.6 - Excellent balance of speed, accuracy, and tool integration
  • GPT 5.4 - Superior for complex curriculum analysis and detailed responses
  • Gemini 3.1 Pro - High accuracy with comprehensive educational content analysis
  • Gemini 3.5 Flash - Frontier-tier agentic performance at Flash-tier speed, strong for multi-step curriculum workflows
Tier 2 Performance:
  • Claude Opus 4.6 - Most thorough analysis but slower response times
  • Kimi K2.5 - Advanced tool usage with solid educational content handling
Speed-Optimized Options:
  • Claude Haiku 4.5 - Faster responses with reduced analysis depth
  • Gemini 3 Flash - Quick queries for simple curriculum questions
For most educational applications, Claude Sonnet 4.6 or GPT 5.4 provide the optimal balance of capability and efficiency.
The IM Knowledge Graph Tool provides curriculum-specific, research-based content rather than generic mathematical explanations. It knows IM’s specific pedagogical approaches, exact activities for different grade levels, and how concepts connect within the IM scope and sequence.
The knowledge graph includes comprehensive data across all IM360 curricula, spanning elementary through high school mathematics.
The knowledge graph reflects the 2025 version of IM360, ensuring you have access to the most recent curriculum updates and improvements.
Yes! The knowledge graph excels at revealing how concepts develop vertically across grades, making it invaluable for understanding learning progressions and ensuring smooth transitions between grade levels.
While focused on IM content, the tool provides valuable insights into IM’s pedagogical approaches that can inform teaching of related topics. You can supplement with additional knowledge files through Playlab’s reference system.
The tool identifies prerequisite skills, suggests alternative activities for diverse learning needs, and helps teachers understand the full range of support materials available for each concept.
Absolutely! The knowledge graph helps educators understand the pedagogical reasoning behind IM curricula, research foundations for instructional decisions, and best practices for implementation.
Yes! The IM Knowledge Graph Tool integrates seamlessly with other Playlab features, including reference files, custom instructions, and existing MCP tools.

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Need Support?

We’re continuously improving this tool based on user feedback. Contact our team at [email protected] for implementation guidance, troubleshooting, or to share your success stories.
Last updated: 08-26-2025