We have been full steam ahead using the Eureka Math program for weeks now. 

Sometimes it can be hard to draw the students’ attention in. 

We all have off days. 

​We as teachers even need to be pulled back in at times. Adding in a different approach or arrangement is all you need to help keep your students’ attention and keep the learning fresh!

​You may want to use this time to dig into some of the supplemental materials you have tucked away.  Look into your saved files to see what you love and want to use but just did not have time for yet.  These will help not only supplement your curriculum but also create a new way to present your lessons.

I know we all dread our classroom observations. 

It isn’t that we do not do a good job teaching everyday, but when someone is watching, it can be so nerve wracking. 

​Just think about this though, when you have been working on your Eureka Math routine consistently, you have nothing to worry about!  
 
Let this be your time to SHINE!
 
Think of it this way, when you use Eureka Math, all of the components that make up a great observation lesson are already embedded in what you do each day.  The way you feel about your teaching also shines through to your observer while you are conducting your lesson.
 

We spend so much of our time and energy teaching our students.

We model each concept and walk them through every step.

Some days we do not even sit or take breaks. We get in the groove of go, go, go to feel we are doing the best we can.
 
What if we took a step back and let go of the reins a bit? What if we put more leadership on the STUDENTS?

Think about it- the best way to know if something is learned is to be able to teach it.  What if we as teachers shared our job and turned some of the math teaching over to the students?

The Eureka Math Program provides many assessment approaches which is great!

It is always better to have a variety of methods to assess students rather than just one.  We never want to depend on a one test one day approach to grading when we want a picture of how a student is doing overall.
 
Before you can plan your data tracking system, first get to know the variety of assessments that are provided within the Eureka Math program. It is also important to collaborate with your grade level team of teachers. 

As teachers, we have so much to do on our own plates to get done each day. 

I find sometimes I am up late working and looking for new resources to help my students to support my Eureka Math program.  Then I think, “If I am putting in all of this extra time, maybe my colleagues are as well.”  That's when I realized, we are all putting in our all and ending up in the same place. 

​So, what if we divided and conquered as a team! Imagine! We could get twice as much materials prepared and planned in the SAME amount of time.  That’s when I realized I needed to reach out more to my grade level team and stop feeling like I had to do everything on my own.

As the students pour in and hang up their backpacks, they sit down eagerly waiting to be told what to do next.  They look up with big bright eyes.  This is when the time is right to not only help them feel comfortable in their new class, but to also learn how fun math can be.  This is moment to take advantage of.  It is a powerful time to create a fun learning classroom environment.  At the same time, getting to know the new students better and letting them get to know each other as well.
 
Since the Eureka Math program has a strong focus on fact fluency, math games will help students build a strong number sense and fluency skills.  When students are having fun and communicating, they will feel more comfortable and happier in class.  Here are some fun math ice-breaker games the class can play as a whole or in small groups.

Maybe last year, you ended your Eureka Math year on a great note. 

Maybe you ended up with a lot of places you want to go back and tweak.

Maybe this is your first year ever using Eureka Math and you are just about to hit the ground running for the first time. 

​Remember, whatever place you are currently in, there is a brand new year ahead to make the most of Eureka Math for your students.
 
Think about the big parts of this math program to help you get a grip on where you are and if you are ready to add more in, or keep working at the basics until you find them mastered.  
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It is time to get the math curriculum started, but where to begin? How?  There are so many components of the Eureka Math curriculum to use.  After gathering technology resources and manipulatives there is EVEN more to use now!  Let’s bring it altogether to make this the most powerful math teaching experience you have had yet.
 
Where Do I Start?
 
Getting started is the most challenging part.  The first place to start is with knowing your materials.  If you wait until you need them, there will be days you wish you knew you had what you had when you needed it.

Eureka Math is a fully loaded program that has so many materials there for you. 

What makes it great is that there are so many different resources to choose from for support. 

One of my favorite resources is the Practice Book for sprints. 

​If your district did not purchase this book, all of the sprints for each lesson can be printed on engageny.org.