Troubleshooting Eureka Math

Just when everything seems to be smoothly running, we seem to hit a bump in the road.

Luckily, there are some great resources out there to help you work through some road blocks with the Eureka Math program.

Sometimes we find one niche that works well, so we lose sight of all of the great things the Eureka Math program has to offer and ways to incorporate new resources!
 
There are many  possible problems some teachers may experience from time to time when using the Eureka Math program.

​Here are some resources and strategies to help with them.

Problem: I feel like mess and I can not get my Eureka Math lesson plans organized.
 
It is very easy to become overwhelmed with managing all of the components of an Eureka Math lesson. One way to help focus on the most important parts of the lesson to teach is by planning in advance with a lesson plan template such as this one. This way, you have reviewed all of the components you are planning to teach in advance and mapping the lesson out in its specific parts. This also is great for glancing over during the lesson when you are transitioning from one section to another.
 
Problem: There is not enough time in my math block to cover an entire lesson.
 
Looking over an entire Eureka Math lesson can feel like there is just too much to do. Most schools provide you a daily schedule with allotted academic minutes to each subject. It can feel very overwhelming to make it all fit in. You can work on ways to move some components of the lesson to different parts of your day. In the math block, you want to work on a quick fluency or review warm up, the concept development or new skill, student independent work time. and the exit ticket. The fluency sprints can be done when you have some time between. I find it a good time when the students come in for recess. They settle in quick and are motivated by the timer to see how many problems they can solve in the time given. Extra practice on application problems is always good to weave in during morning meeting or center time!
 
Problem: I teach in an inclusion classroom, how do I meet the needs of diverse learners?
 
It can feel challenging to use the Eureka Math program with modifications to meet the needs of all learners. It just takes a little preparation and you can meet your learners needs. One way to modify is to reduces the amount of problems given. Look ahead to know which problems will be repeated and allow those students in need to only solve one of each type. You may also change the application problems to meet students needs. For example based on a students goal, they may not be ready to solve two step problems. For these students, you may decide to alter those type of problems to only require one step to solve.  Make the adjustments your students need. The small steps will allow them the time they need to build the foundational skills they need to apply as the program progressed.
  
Problem:  I want to be sure the students understand the concepts, but now I am far behind the rest of the grade level teachers.
 
We as teachers never want to keep moving on when it seems the class isn’t understanding a concept. There is time to reteach a skill, however the pace of the program is also important. If the entire class does not understand a lesson, then go over it again the next day. When you feel most of the class is successful with a skill, but some students are still in need of review, keep reviewing with those students during a center or intervention time of the day. Keep the class moving at a steady pace with the Eureka Math lessons. Too much time held up on one skill may lead to pacing issues later on in the year.
 
Problem: I am a new teacher, and I want a better understanding of the Eureka Math Program as a whole.
A great way to get a full overview of the Eureka Math program is by visiting their website: https://greatminds.org/eurekamath/teachers. The site is very easy to navigate and allows you to pick and choose what you want to know more about. For example, types of workbooks and teacher resources can be found. The site  also provides what types of manipulatives you may need.  It also allows you to engage in some professional development opportunities.
 
Do not feel discouraged when you feel you have hit a road block with the Eureka Math program. Keep moving and supporting your students the best way you can. Be flexible without losing the integrity and goals of the program as a whole. When you learn a new way to help your students, you feel happy to make your own little spin on the lessons! Make the program your own.