The Eureka Math program provides the BEST template materials for lesson resources. 

​Many of the templates are very easy to copy or print and provide for your students.  The templates can be used to model whole class lessons, provided for students to use in partners, or for students to use during their independent work.
 
The templates can also be provided for students to use in center based activities outside of your daily math time block.  I like to provide templates from previously learned skills for reinforcement and review.

Getting students to understand math concepts is to be able to SHOW them what is happening in the computations. 

When students use manipulatives as concrete examples and relate to picture models, they make strong connections and deep understanding. 

This type of learning is connected to long term memory and will be a platform for students to build on as they continue up in the program.
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Each type of concept has a model that is most appropriate for teachers to use at that students developmental level.  Models are not segregated into just specific age groups though, they can be repeated and seen again at various levels.

With every curriculum program we come across, we research how to implement it successfully for our class. 

Usually we figure out the basics of how to plan and deliver lessons as whole and once we try that system, it is typically an epic fail. 

There is a really good reason for that though. 
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Our classrooms are NOT made up of all of the same students with the same learning styles and needs. 

In order to prepare lessons that do meet the needs of diverse learners and learning styles in the case of using Eureka Math, we must really rely on the resources provided to be sure everything that can be delivered in a meaningful way to our students-is.  Before you plan your lessons, take a good inventory of your class make up. 

Am I Getting Everything In?

When summer begins to wind down, we all have the major goals set high.  I immediately delve deep into the Eureka math resources to organize a successful program for my students for the upcoming school year.   

​However, it can feel overwhelming for sure!  We as teachers want to strive for it ALL. 

It is important to be organized and set up yourself for success from the start, however, knowing what to spend the most of your energy on can be all consuming.

Wow! What a year it has been!  So many changes and challenges, it is hard to believe it is time to close up this school year.  This year we have been delivering lessons in so many different ways. Whether it was teaching remote, full time back in the classroom, or hybrid and doing both at the same time, there were new hurdles to overcome each day.  Who knew we would be able to pull through with a successful math curriculum through all of this? Well we did it! Breathe, and know your students are better because of your teaching even with all of the changes.  
 
Even though this particular year has been an obstacle, it is safe to say every year throws us some sort of hurdles.  There is always a place for refection.  Take a step back in a quiet moment, and decide what parts of your math curriculum went particularly well and where would you like to build up for next year.

Great lesson planning comes from knowing exactly what you want the students to learn. 

In order to do this in the most efficient way, we use objectives!
 
Your objective will come from the Eureka Math lesson templates and resource planning guides, which are based on the standards. 

Some objectives can be broad, so you may want to narrow them down to be more specific and teach over a few days depending on the individual needs of your students.

Think of your objective as a target to hit!  The students should be aware of what you are going to teach them in the lesson, so they can know if they have learned it.
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When you think of building a house, of course you would know you have to have a strong foundation in order for the house to remain sturdy. 

​Now- think of building your math curriculum the same way!  In this case however, we aren’t talking about concrete, but something just as strong- units!
 
When you start out with the basics of Eureka Math, you must firmly establish what a unit is in the very beginning.  When shown to students using objects and pictures one unit is one object.  This is established in numbers through 10 first.  Students are given concrete manipulatives to understand the concept of a unit.  This appears basic, but later on students will apply and build on the unit based thinking in many ways.

Technology is part of our everyday lives. It's ubiquitous - and we may be getting too much of it. Agree or disagree, there is data that supports this notion. Excessive use of technology can have many drawbacks, particularly for young people who don't know how to moderate their time spent online.
 
Technology can certainly be a wonderful thing, opening doors and providing unique opportunities to explore the world. What we need is moderation. Tricky - I know. Let’s talk about how to enable our children to strategically use technology so it is only a benefit, and not a detractor.  ​