Teach The Way They Learn

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Improve Your (Virtual) Eureka Math Routine

16/1/2021

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As educators, we know that when working with children, they need consistency and structure.

Kids thrive on knowing what is coming next. Students use that momentum to excel and bounce off of what they did the day before. They want to be better, stronger, and impress you with what they know!

Looking at a daily lesson from Eureka Math can feel overwhelming at first glance! Dig deeper, establish the routine that is set out, and it will feel like magic. It has a set routine and pace to it. Set small goals and add in more a little at a time until you and your students are ready for more.

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Facts! Facts! Facts! But....We Are Really Just Playing Games

9/1/2021

As teachers, we want our students to succeed and feel confident in their learning.

Eureka Math is filled with so many strategies and concepts for students to keep in their tool box of success. But, where to begin? What is the most important? How can I start them off right? These are the thoughts racing through our heads as the sounds of voices echo through the halls to let you know that the morning planning time is over.

You know that how you introduce something new will continue to be tone each day and each time this subject is presented.

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Well…play some games! Yes, games! Fact fluency is the foundation of Eureka Math. This is the main focus in the primary grades, and it is one of the most important.

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Slam-Dunk Read-Alouds for Fourth Grade

2/1/2021

Children of all ages LOVE to be read to - I know I love my audio books, don't you?

Unfortunately, with all of the things being added to our ‘plates’ as teachers, we sometimes don’t make time to read aloud.

This is a mistake.

We must protect our read-aloud time, and choose fabulous books for this purpose! Here are some wonderful examples of books that lend themselves to being read aloud and are eternally loved by all.

* Please note that I have included affiliate links below. I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one. It's a great way to support the website at no extra cost to you!

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (Realistic Fiction)

This classic story stars Peter and Fudge. Peter’s younger brother, called Fudge, is the bane of his existence. All of the adults think Fudge is sweet and cute, but Peter knows better. And Peter’s turtle, Dribble, is in constant danger from Fudge’s antics!

Five Author Studies for Fourth Grade

19/12/2020

An author study is a wonderful vehicle for demonstrating the work of a particular author. Showcasing a variety of authors introduces students to different styles and genres, while comparing and contrasting different works of one author gives a depth of knowledge about his or her writing. Providing students with access to a variety of authors helps to ensure that they find one who is "just right" for them. Here are five fabulous authors just perfect for a fourth grade author study!

* Please note that I have included affiliate links below. I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one. It's a great way to support the website at no extra cost to you!

Patricia Polacco

Polacco is loved by elementary school teachers the world over not only for the many books she's produced, but also for her advocacy of reading and of teachers in general.
Polacco's books are filled with diversity, acceptance and kindness.

Mrs. Katz & Tush

Summary: Larnell, a young African American boy, befriends his older, widowed, Jewish neighbor, Mrs. Katz. Over time they recognize similarities in their lives and struggles. Mrs. Katz and Larnell learn a lot from each other and share good times and bad throughout their life long friendship.

Why Read Aloud? Ten Can’t-Miss Books For Bedtime!

12/12/2020

“Come on...just one more story?”

If you’re a parent, or anyone who has put a child to bed, you’ve no doubt heard this plea during story time.
Why do kids love story time so much?

Because it’s so much more than just a book.

Why Is Reading Aloud So Important?

The value of reading aloud cannot be overstated.

When you read aloud to your child, you’re doing a lot more than just telling a story. You are also:

• connecting pictures with language
• connecting reading with feelings of love and security
• validating the importance of reading
• demonstrating fluency
• stimulating your child’s imagination
• fostering listening skills

So which amazing titles should you be sure to make time for? Read on!

The Ins and Outs of Author Studies

5/12/2020

You’ve decided to incorporate author studies into your elementary reading, but how exactly do you go about it?

When?

Many districts have a mandatory reading/language arts curriculum. This means that the teacher must use this curriculum to teach reading in her classroom.

My own philosophy is this: while students will be just fine if they are only ever exposed to a basal reading curriculum, there’s a lot that they are missing if this is the only reading resource availed to them.

While a teacher may not be able to replace a basal curriculum, he or she can usually find a way to enhance the curriculum.

As teachers, we typically have some autonomy, therefore you can make time by consolidating a few lessons (or skipping one or two) and voila! Now you’ve got three, four, or even five days freed up for an author study!

If your school district does NOT mandate a basal curriculum, you should celebrate because your students will fall in love with the authors you spotlight!

How to Make First Grade Eureka Math FUN!

28/11/2020

Hi Friends!

For my next series of articles, I've partnered with other teachers that create supplemental materials to use with the Engage NY Math a.k.a. Eureka Math program. There are so many talented teachers out there, and we all bring something different to the table. I make PowerPoint presentations to help guide teachers through the lessons, but there are so many other items out there that can help! In this article, my guest blogger, Lauren will talk about how she has created various games for her first grade students to have fun while they learn and master the various skills they need to be successful with Eureka math.

- Rebecca

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Four years ago when I made the switch to first from second, my school also bought a new math curriculum: Eureka Math (Engage NY).

I will be honest with you . . . I struggled with this program at first.

It seemed to be too advanced for my firsties and it seemed like SO much was packed into each lesson.

Fast forward three years and this program has brought my first graders so much success in math. The mental math skills that this program instills into their little minds is truly amazing.

So how did I change from struggling to thriving? GAMES. I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again . . . these kids thrive from playing games in the classroom! After teaching the First Grade Eureka Math Curriculum for a few months, I knew I had to add some pizzazz to make it fun and engaging. Have you ever struggled through the whole group lesson or the problem set? That was me, too. Now I change my guided practice into a fun game for every single lesson.

Eureka Math Centers for Kindergarten

21/11/2020

Hi Friends!

For my next series of articles, I've partnered with other teachers that create supplemental materials to use with the Engage NY Math a.k.a. Eureka Math program. There are so many talented teachers out there, and we all bring something different to the table. I make PowerPoint presentations to help guide teachers through the lessons, but there are so many other items out there that can help! In these next few articles, my guest blogger, Miriam will talk about centers and how she has created various centers for her students to master the various skills they need to be successful. She created BOTH digital and non-digital options - so there's something for everyone!

- Rebecca

I love teaching math! I especially love teaching math in small groups while the rest of the students are exploring and learning through math centers.

For the past few years I have worked at schools that use Eureka Math (also known as Engage NY). Eureka Math emphasizes conceptual understanding of math concepts. As a result, I think it is a great curriculum to pair with math centers and exploration.

Additionally, math centers are a perfect time to incorporate play into the classroom.

I use physical centers in the classroom and digital centers on BOOM for virtual learning or with technology in the classroom!

BOOM Learning for Digital Math Centers

14/11/2020

Hi Friends!

For my next series of articles, I've partnered with other teachers that create supplemental materials to use with the Engage NY Math a.k.a. Eureka Math program. There are so many talented teachers out there, and we all bring something different to the table. I make PowerPoint presentations to help guide teachers through the lessons, but there are so many other items out there that can help! In these next few articles, my guest blogger, Miriam will talk about centers and how she has created various centers for her students to master the various skills they need to be successful. She created BOTH digital and non-digital options - so there's something for everyone!

- Rebecca

Math centers are my absolute favorite part of the day!

I love watching students explore mathematical concepts by completing centers and games.

They learn so much more through the hands-on interactions (and conversations with their classmates) than they would simply completing math worksheets or in whole group lessons.

When we abruptly switched to virtual learning, I mourned the loss of math centers. But after some research I have found a way to give students intentional and fun activities to mimic the center experience they would have in the classroom.

I am using Boom Learning for my “digital math centers”!

Digital Resources for Eureka Math

31/10/2020

Eureka is one of the most widely adopted math curriculums in the country, so naturally, there are many resources available to help make you more successful with teaching this curriculum! Today I wanted to highlight a few of these resources for you.

Great Minds

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Great Minds is the company behind the Eureka math curriculum (among others). I was introduced to the curriculum as Engage NY Math in 2012. At the time, it was a new math program that was one of the first standards aligned open educational resources. It was created in a partnership between the state of New York and the non-profit Great Minds and funded through New York state's $700 million federal Race to the Top award in 2010.

You may be aware that the entire Eureka math curriculum is available to you for free on their website, or you can purchase the workbooks. But did you know there is a variety of other free resources available to you on the website as well?

Whole Group vs. Small Group Instruction for Eureka

30/10/2020

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I hope you're starting to feel a little more comfortable navigating Eureka Math.

Over the last several weeks, we’ve taken an in-depth look at how to effectively use the Eureka math curriculum.

We’ve talked about how to prepare your lesson and supplies, and how to teach each specific aspect of the curriculum.

Today, I wanted to take a look at 2 different methods to using the Eureka curriculum: whole group and small group.

How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math: Using Assessments and the Grading Rubric

29/10/2020

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Now that you understand how to best teach the Eureka math lessons, there is one more component we need to dive into - assessments!

The Eureka assessments look different from traditional math assessments, and are graded differently as well.

Let’s take a look at these assessments, and how to use the grading rubric.

Most modules include 2 assessments - a mid-module assessment and an end-of-module assessment.

How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): The Debrief and Exit Ticket

28/10/2020

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The debrief takes place after students complete the problem set. Part of the debrief includes allowing students to discuss their answers with their peers, and then reviewing the answers as a class. Once answers are checked, the debrief section of the teacher manual includes some questions to ask to help students reflect on their learning.

As always, you do not have to ask all of these questions. Pick 2 or 3 that you really want to focus on. The debrief is really beneficial to help students make connections and also help you address any misconceptions that may have occurred with the students. This can open the doors for some really great math discussion!

How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): The Problem Set

27/10/2020

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After you have gathered your materials, taught the Fluency Practice, Application Problem and the Concept Development - the next step in the Eureka math lesson is the Problem Set. Together with the Student Debrief and Exit, it closes out the lesson by giving students a chance to practice and reflect on their new skills. In total, these components make up about 25 minutes of the lesson. Let’s focus on the first part, the Problem Set.

The Problem Set typically follows the Concept Development, but sometimes the Application Problem can be between them, depending on the lesson’s objective.

Executive Functioning Skills: Metacognition and Working Memory

5/10/2020

If there’s one common thread running through every aspect of Executive Functioning Skills, it’s metacognition. Closely related to self awareness, metacognition is defined as ‘thinking about thinking’. Since all EFS relate to thinking in some way, it’s easy to see the connection.

Why Is Metacognition Important?

Most teachers recognize that when students focus on how they are learning, they actually become better at learning. Getting learners to focus on what is happening in their brains when they’re learning is nothing short of a miracle.

Executive Functioning Skills: Attention, Task Initiation, & Perseverance

4/10/2020

Have you ever found yourself….drifting off?

You know - maybe stopping by your ‘happy place’ when you’re bored by your current activity? What about sticking with a task when it gets confusing or difficult? Or maybe the hardest part for you is getting started in the first place!

Most people struggle with one of these aspects of productivity from time to time.

The Executive Functioning Skills featured in this article are closely related and interdependent. In order to be successful, we need to focus on the task at hand, get started on the mission, and keep going even if we become discouraged.

Executive Functioning Skills: Self-Control, Flexibility, and Organization

3/10/2020

"No man is free who cannot control himself."
- Pythagoras

Executive functioning skills can make or break a life - whether academically, in business, or even in a marriage. These three skills: self-control, flexibility, and organization, in particular, starkly illustrate both success and failure. Knowing how to better navigate each of these potential minefields will build the odds of success in your favor, regardless of your age!

Self-control

This might be the first skill to become evident in a school setting.

Students are expected to be able to sit still and keep their mouths closed for a period of time. Being still, quiet and able to line up are perhaps the foundational skills of Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Obviously, self-control issues are not limited to elementary school.

Executive Functioning Skills: Planning and Time Management

2/10/2020

We’ve all heard the saying, “Fail to plan...plan to fail.”

Planning and time management are critical to success in any context - school, work, and family life. Because these two Executive Functioning Skills go hand-in-hand, we’re presenting them together.

Planning

Planning involves careful consideration of a task or activity and determining the steps involved in seeing it through to fruition. Strong planning skills will help learners use their time well, eliminating the need to go back and revise work later.

To effectively plan, one must ask the following questions:

What preparation is necessary?
Which supplies are needed?
How many steps are included, from start to finish?
Can I do this independently, or will I need help?
Will I be able to accomplish this task in one session, or will multiple sessions be needed?

Introduction to Executive Functioning Skills

1/10/2020

Welcome Guest Blogger!

Hi Friends,

I've got another special post! I am thrilled to have a second guest blogger here on my site! I posted
in one of the Facebook groups I belong to and asked for writers to share their knowledge and expertise and I'm so fortunate that Becky responded! She's a wealth of knowledge and her passion is Executive Functioning, a subject that I personally am interested in learning more about.

Keep reading to learn more and stay tuned for future posts!

- Rebecca

Hi there! I am Becky, a twenty-seven year veteran teacher and reading specialist! I have experience K - 5, and have been teaching fifth for a while now.

As a mom of three (mostly) grown children, I know how tricky the juggling act can be. I love spending my days learning along with my students!

Where are my KEYS?” you scream-whisper as you search frantically through the piles in your kitchen.

You are late, low on gas, and hiding a wrinkled shirt with a sloppy cardigan because you forgot the iron is broken.

Sound familiar? If so, you already know a little about Executive Functioning Skills, and just how much they impact your life.

Executive Functioning Skills Are Literally Running Your Life

Most people are familiar with Executive Functioning Skills (EFS), they’re just not using that label. These skills, considered to be the command center of cognition, help people to be successful by planning, focusing attention, juggling multiple tasks, and more. Sometimes, it’s helpful to think of Executive Functioning Skills as the air-traffic controller for the brain.

Many parents, educators and child development experts are talking about Executive Functioning Skills these days. Why? When children have strong skills in this area as well as in the area of self-regulation, not only does the child benefit, but society as a whole improves.

How can simply planning ahead or focusing your attention have such a broad impact? Think about it. Today’s students are tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, mechanics, electricians, political leaders, law enforcement officers, etc. When they have the skills and abilities to get along with others and collaborate to reach a common objective, it moves our society forward.

How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): Concept Development

4/6/2020

Once you are finished going over the application problem, the next step is usually to start the Concept Development, which is the meat of your lesson.

You will find that the concept development is pretty scripted out already - however, this is meant to just be a guide for you to follow, and not necessarily to be read word for word.

Prior to teaching the concept development, make sure you have read through the lesson and have gathered all your materials. It helps to have prepared ahead of time so you aren’t wasting any time during the actual lesson!

Typically, the concept development starts with modeling, then moves to a more guided practice, and finally to independent practice. You will also notice that the problems tend to progress from easier to harder as the lesson continues.

Students may start out with reviewing a related skill that they have previously learned. The teacher will then demonstrate the new skill, talking through the process and asking questions as they go.

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How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): The Application Problem

28/5/2020

Now that you’ve mastered the fluency practice portion of Eureka lessons, we’ll talk about one of the next major components of the lesson - the Application Problem.

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The Application problem, along with the concept development make up the majority of your math lesson.

Typically, the application problem (if there is one) will take about 5-10 minutes, and the concept development between 30 and 40 minutes.

In most lessons, the application problem happens prior to the concept development. It provides students with quick word problem practice in which they will use their prior knowledge to solve.

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Eureka employs a 3 part strategy to solve word problems which students will use on the application problems. The 3 part strategy is Read, Draw, Write - or RDW.

Read: Students read the problem at least once to gain an understanding of what the question is asking.
Draw: Students will draw a picture or diagram to represent what is happening in the problem.
Write: Students will solve and write their answer in a complete sentence.

Application Problem page from the workbook I created to help students write in complete sentences and improve their penmanship.

How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): Fluency Practice

13/5/2020

Now that you’ve prepared your lesson and gathered all your supplies, the next step is to teach!

A typical Eureka lesson is broken up into 6 components:

Fluency Practice
Application Problem
Concept Development
Problem Set
Debrief
Exit Ticket

We will take an in-depth look at each of these components so you can feel comfortable presenting each one to your class.

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How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY Math): Gathering Supplies for Your Eureka Math Lesson

12/5/2020

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Now that you are prepared to teach your Eureka Math lesson, it’s time to gather your supplies!

You’ll notice as you read your lesson that each component includes a list of materials needed at the top. You do not always need materials, but if you do, this is where you’ll find the list.

I suggest that as you read through and prepare your lesson, you make a note of the materials you will need.

It is helpful to prepare your supplies ahead of time so that you don’t take away from instruction time trying to gather everything.

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How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY): Lesson Prep - Step By Step!

30/4/2020

Now that we’ve taken an inside look at what’s included in the Eureka Math curriculum in my first blog post in this series, let’s go ahead and dive into how to best prepare to teach a lesson.

At first glance, looking at the lesson can be overwhelming.

There is so much to include, and so little time to fit it all in.

Please, do not stress out!

I promise, it isn’t as bad as you might think.

Yes, Eureka math lessons are jam-packed with information and probably more than you can squeeze into the 60 minute time-frame it lays out for you. Even if you have more than 60 minutes for your math block, you may still be wondering how to fit it all in. This is totally normal, and many teachers feel this way about the curriculum.

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How to Successfully Teach Eureka Math (Engage NY)

16/4/2020

When teachers begin using Eureka Math (also known as EngageNY), they quickly learn that it has a major learning curve, and the curriculum itself can be, quite frankly, bland.

Eureka is a math curriculum that many schools and teachers across the country have implemented within the last few years. It is known for its research-based, rigorous approach to teaching math conceptually.

The method helps students develop a deep understanding of mathematics, along with an ingrained number sense and has a proven success rate. Teachers tend to love it or hate it. That said, in my opinion, it truly is one of the best math curriculums out there.

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About Me

Classroom Teacher Doctor of Education
Teacherpreneur
Specializing in creating PowerPoint slides, workbooks, and posters to accompany any/all lesson plans, but particularly for
Engage NY Math/
Eureka Math. Available for pre-k, kindergarten, first grade second grade, third grade, fourth grade & fifth grade.

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