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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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”!

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.

Tips For Homeschooling with Engage NY (Eureka Math)

1/12/2019

Welcome to my Guest Blogger - Rachel

Hi Friends,

This post is super special! I am thrilled to have a guest blogger here on my site! I reached out to my fellow teachers asking if they would be willing to share their experiences using the Eureka Math/Engage NY Math curriculum. I wanted others to benefit and learn their tips and tricks. I was thrilled when Rachel reached out to me and was willing to share what she has learned. Rachel and I worked together in a Title I public school a few years ago, and she has since become a home-school mom and is STILL using the program, which speaks volumes to me! When Rachel generously agreed to write about her experiences using Engage NY/Eureka math at home, I sent her the lessons I created for classroom teachers to see if they might be useful in some way to her as a home-school parent, and she loved them!

Keep reading to learn more about Rachel and her experience using Eureka Math / Engage NY Math as a home-school parent.

- Rebecca

Hello! My name is Rachel and I am a stay at home mom to a five year old and one year old.
I am a former teacher and loved teaching Engage NY (Eureka Math) in my first grade and third grade classrooms. I loved it so much that when I decided to home-school my five year old, I knew I wanted all of the wonderful strategies and deep learning found in this curriculum. I spend my days juggling making learning and playing fun for our whole family.

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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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