Preview Tonight
Grade 8 math · English and Spanish

Students walk into math class already knowing tomorrow’s big idea.

Preview Tonight makes short, standards-aligned grade 8 math preview videos that your school sends to students and families the night before a lesson. In about three to five minutes, students meet the key words, see a worked example, and try a warm-up question, so class starts with a head start.

How it works

Preview Tonight fits into the routines your school already has. Three steps, and families have something short and useful to watch together.

  1. We match your pacing

    We align each preview to the California grade 8 math standards and to the program and pacing calendar your teachers already use.

  2. Your school sends it the night before

    The school shares the preview link through its own messaging system, whichever one you already use with families.

  3. Students arrive ready

    Students come to class already familiar with the key words and the big idea, so teachers can move into the lesson with more students on board.

What’s in a preview

Every preview follows the same friendly shape, so students and families know what to expect each night. Each one runs about three to five minutes and comes in English and in Spanish.

A warm intro

An everyday situation, like comparing two taco shops, that shows why tomorrow’s idea matters.

Key words

Two or three terms to listen for in class, each with a plain meaning and the Spanish term alongside.

A worked example

One example worked step by step on screen, with clear equations, tables and graphs.

A quick warm-up

One question to think about before class, so students bring an idea with them in the morning.

Sample lesson

Our first sample is being finished now. Here is what it covers.

Coming soon Two lines on a grid crossing at one marked point

Grade 8: Solving systems by graphing

English and Spanish versions

Standards 8.EE.8a and 8.EE.8b

Where two lines meet

Two taco shops deliver at different prices. Students write an equation for each, build quick tables, graph both lines, and find the point where the lines cross. Then they check that point in both equations and talk about what it means for the order.

  • About five minutes, with a Spanish version narrated in Spanish
  • Captions and a full transcript in each language
  • Presented by an AI presenter, with accurate math animations built and checked by our team
  • Reviewed by an experienced bilingual math teacher before release

Would you like to see it as soon as it is ready? Request a call or email rob@previewtonight.com and we will send you the link.

The free spring 2027 pilot

We are offering a free pilot in spring 2027 for California middle schools in CSI, TSI or ATSI support that are working to raise math scores. The pilot is designed with a comparison group, so your school can see the results in its own data.

What your school receives

  • Grade 8 math previews in English and Spanish, matched to your pacing calendar
  • A first set on linear equations, systems of equations and functions
  • Ready-to-send links and a short family note for your messaging system
  • A simple plan for choosing the comparison group with your team

What the pilot will measure

  • How grade 8 students who receive previews do on CAASPP math, compared with a similar group
  • How many previews your school sends, in English and in Spanish, across the pilot
  • What teachers notice about readiness at the start of class
  • What families share in a short, optional feedback survey

The study design aims toward ESSA Tier 3 (promising) evidence, so the results can support your school plan.

Privacy and student data

Preview Tonight is built so your school stays in charge of student and family information.

Your messaging system

Your school sends the previews through the messaging system it already uses with families.

Your contact lists

Your school keeps its student and family contact lists. Previews are shared as links your staff send.

A signed agreement

We work under a signed data privacy agreement using the California NDPA.

Read more about privacy and student data

Accessibility and Spanish

Made for every family

Each preview has captions and a full transcript. The narration carries all of the math, graphs use line styles and labels along with color, and on-screen text uses high contrast. Our design targets WCAG 2.1 AA.

A true Spanish version

Every preview has its own Spanish version, narrated in Spanish with Spanish on-screen labels, so families can watch together in the language they prefer.

Read our accessibility statement

About Preview Tonight

Preview Tonight is a Trilogy Performance Media, LLC company based in Canyon Lake, California. It was founded by Robert Sieck, RN, MHA, to give grade 8 students and their families a short, friendly look at tomorrow’s math the night before class.

“I am building Preview Tonight so that more students walk into math class already familiar with the words and the big idea. I would love to work with your team on a free pilot in spring 2027 and look at the results together.”

Robert Sieck, RN, MHA
Founder, Preview Tonight

Contact

Robert Sieck, RN, MHA
Founder, Preview Tonight
A Trilogy Performance Media, LLC company
rob@previewtonight.com
(210) 862-1308
30113 Buck Tail Drive
Canyon Lake, CA 92587

Request a call

Tell us a little about your school or district and Rob will reach out to set up a short call at a time that works for you. You can also email rob@previewtonight.com directly.