Math
The way students learn math now is different from the way most of us learned math. Most of us grew up learning a procedure for solving a problem. Procedures have their place in mathematics, but to truly understand and be able to apply the knowledge learned……Students must dig deeper into their learning.
This year we have a NEW math curriculum we are super excited about…. Eureka Math!!! The Eureka Math curriculum was created by Great Minds, a nonprofit organization that brought together teachers and experts to craft a program based on the world’s most successful math programs. Eureka was built around the core principle that students need to know more than just what works when solving a problem – they need to understand why it works. The curriculum goes beyond facts and formulas, teaching students to think about math conceptually. This helps students become not merely literate, but fluent in mathematics.
Each lesson is comprised of four critical components: fluency practice, concept development (including the problem set), application problem, and student debrief (including the Exit Ticket). Each component described below serves a distinct purpose. Together they promote balanced and rigorous instruction:
Fluency Practice:
Almost all lessons begin with this component to support development of fluency skills for maintenance (staying sharp on previously learned skills), preparation (targeted practice for the current lesson), and/or anticipation (skills that ensure that students will be ready for the in‐depth work of upcoming lessons). This component provides daily opportunities for students to gain confidence and motivation for continued learning.
Concept Development:
This component addresses the new content being studied. Therefore, it is often allotted the majority of the instructional period to give students time for discussion and reflection. The concept development is generally comprised of carefully sequenced problems centered within a specific topic to begin developing mastery via gradual increases in complexity. It is also accompanied by an additional set of carefully crafted problems called the “problem set.”
Application Problem:
In most lessons, this component is included to provide students with an opportunity to apply their skills and understandings in new ways. Sometimes the application precedes the concept development, functioning as a springboard into the new learning of the day. Often the application follows the concept development as an extension of learning.
Student Debrief:
Every lesson closes with this critical component in which the teacher engages students in a whole-group discussion, challenging them to share their thinking and draw conclusions. This allows the teacher to gauge student understanding of the concept of the lesson, offering another chance for students to gain understanding before attempting the exit ticket.
Please check out - https://greatminds.org/math/parents - to learn more about Eureka!
You may be thinking…. Wow! This is a lot of information. The reason I wanted to share this information with you is to show you what your child does every day in our class. We are reaching beyond procedural understanding and digging deep into learning and it has been AMAZING!!!
Due to the complexity of what students are learning and how they are learning it, I will NOT be sending homework. When students bring math homework home, they are generally solving problems in a procedural way and are not digging deep into their understanding. With the complexity of the Florida Standards, it is very important for students to dig deep into their mathematical understanding. Please know that I have time built into our day to enrich and/or provide intervention to students. Your child WILL have an ample amount of time to practice the standards and I feel confident students will excel!
You are probably wondering…. How can I help my child at home if my child does not have homework?..... You can help your child by asking him/her what was learned in math for the day. You can talk about how problems are solved. You can review the formative assessments and ask your child his/her thinking. Doing these things will help your child to use mathematical language! Your child can also complete sessions of First in Math!
Tentatively Scheduled Tests:
(Please note that these dates are tentative. If we need to work more on a particular lesson, the date could be pushed back. Likewise, if students seem to master the skills early, we will test early.)
**Quizzes will be given throughout the lesson.**
Summative Assessment: TBA