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Traditionally, math was taught as formulas and “math facts .” Students only learned the subject by memorizing facts and used only one way to solve or calculate math problems. This form of learning was problematic since most learners never understood what they were doing. They would only memorize and solve the issues as the teacher told them, with no room to explore other methods.
Eureka Math works differently by building a deeper understanding of math from K-12th grade.
What is Eureka Math?
Eureka Math is a holistic curriculum that sequences mathematical progressions in expertly crafted modules that are fun to learn and teach. Great Minds Inc. developed the common core-aligned curriculum to equate mathematical concepts to stories for conceptual understanding.
Eureka is built around the principle that learners should know more than just what works when solving a math problem but why it works. Unlike traditional Math, which is relatively rigid, Eureka math encourages learners to use varying mental strategies while solving problems. The main focus in Eureka Math is the process rather than the answer.
How to Structure Eureka Math Lesson for Pre-K to 5th Grade
A Story of Units
Every lesson under the Story of Units structure comprises four major critical components: fluency practice, application problem, concept development, and student debriefing.
Fluency Practice
Almost every lesson in Eureka math begins with fluency practice to support fluency skills development for maintenance (Remaining sharp on previously studied skills), preparation (approach for current studies), and anticipation (skills to ensure learners are ready for more complex learning in future lessons). Fluency practice provides students with opportunities to develop motivation and confidence for further education.
Concept Development
The concept development component focuses on new content studies. It mainly contains more instructional time to give learners enough time for discussion and reflection. This component comprises carefully arranged problems under a specific topic to begin developing mastery through a steady increase in complexity. A more crafted problem also accompanies concept development called a “problem set .”Teachers should choose within this set of problems to provide learners with at least 10 minutes of additional practice.
Application Problem
This component is mainly integrated into math to allow students to apply their understanding and skills in new ways. Sometimes application problem precedes the concept development, functioning as a springboard into the day’s new learning. Mostly, this application comes after concept development as a learning extension.
Student Debrief
Every Eureka math lesson ends with a student debrief. In this critical component, the teacher engages students in a group discussion, challenging them to share their ideas and thoughts and finally to make a conclusion. The teacher gauges students’ understanding of the lesson under this component. The student debriefs component also provides an excellent opportunity to gain more knowledge before jumping to a new concept.
How to Structure Eureka Math Lesson from 6th Grade
A Story of Ratios and a Story of Functions
Naturally, Mathematical content increases in complexity with each passing grade level. To successfully address the level of sophistication at the high school level, the formats of the math lessons begin to change starting from the 6th grade. Every class is divided into four components with specific content: Problem set, Socratic, exploration, and modeling lessons.
Problem Set Lessons
The term “Problem set” comprises an entire lesson format in grades 6 to 12. The lesson format under this component is much like the Story of Units lessons. Problem-set lesson consists of teacher-led examples followed by a guided exercise where students apply their understanding to related problems. Short discussions within these lessons primarily help students make vital connections that promote awareness of concepts.
Exploration Lessons
Students are given exploratory challenges in the form of exercises and activities. Under this component, a small group of students works together toward achieving a common goal. Exploration lessons take a significant part of the lesson.
Modeling Lessons
This practice increases with each grade in middle and high school mathematics. Modeling lessons refer to the application of mathematical models to solve problems that occur in the real world. The lessons involve applying real-world situations to enhance understanding of math learned in the classroom. The lessons are gradually introduced in middle school but are primarily reserved for high school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade levels are Eureka Math Curriculum Geared towards?
The Eureka Math curriculum is available for Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 students. It carefully sequences the mathematical progressions into proficiently crafted modules.
What is Rigor in Math?
Rigor provides students with opportunities to discover and create an authentic, strong command of Math concepts. Proper rigor can only be acquired through a superior curriculum and instruction supporting learners’ mathematics exploration.
How does the Eureka Math Curriculum support Rigor?
The Eureka Math curriculum supports rigor by integrating a section on fluency, application problems, concept development, and a student debrief in every lesson. These comets play a significant role in deepening or extending students’ understanding of math concepts. Notably, the four components require a different amount of time with each math lesson.
Is Eureka Math linked to the Math Common Core Standards?
Eureka Math lessons are connected to the Math Common Core Standards since they seek to use real-world examples, help students understand why a process of solving a problem works the way it does, build analytical knowledge, and explain the reasoning. All these are part of the Mathematical Practice standards aligned with the Common core standards.
Does the Use of Eureka Math in Schools lower Mathematical standards?
Eureka Math does not lower mathematical standards. Instead, it enhances them through the following ways.
1. Brings a Greater Focus on Fewer Topics
The content in Eureka Math is organized around a story that merges its content. This story builds learners’ understanding of concepts and improves their ability to manipulate units. Through Eureka Math, students learn commonalities between units and the unique features of the units. They also study cases like fractions, whole numbers, measurements, and decimals.
2. Brings Coherence:
Eureka Math brings coherence by connecting thinking and topics across grades. This can be done across a module, a story, a grade level, or a grade band. The use of sequence is vital in Eureka’s math. The connections enable students to access new ways of problem-solving and learning. The development of conceptual understanding advances from simple to complex. The movement can be seen in a lesson, grade level, module, or across grade bands.
3. Brings Rigor:
Eureka Math pursues an understanding of concepts, application, procedural skills, and fluency with equal intensity. Different lesson types and delivery methods invite learners to explore, practice, share, collaborate and critique work with their peers. Eureka gives learners ongoing opportunities to reflect on their mathematics learning, verbalize coactions and recognize patterns between new and past learning.
Parting Shot
Kids on the Yard’s math tutoring programs are tailored to meet students’ math needs. We turn math stress into success because we believe math should be challenging, not frustrating. We are utilizing Eureka to guide instruction even as we customize lessons to fit the individual needs of each learner.
Connect with our educational team by calling or sending an SMS: Toll-Free USA: 844 902 4242 or for International: +1 850 848 4242.
