Two years ago, I walked into school for pre-planning and was handed the Engage NY math curriculum. (The name changed to Eureka Math half way through the year.) We had four days to study and be ready to teach students. OH MY GOODNESS! I couldn't believe the amount of time preparing just one lesson took. How about all of the materials you and your students needed that weren't supplied?!?  I will admit that I didn't teach each lesson from the modules that year because I didn't have the materials that I needed for each lesson. That was a VERY stressful year, and I knew that I couldn't go through another year like that one again. Last summer, I sat down and organized my math modules and created the materials my students and I needed. (To see my module materials, visit my TPT store, Fun in Room 428) Last year was my first year teaching the modules as directed, and because I was so organized, the year went well. I thought I would share how I organize my modules and lessons with you.

I wrote a grant and was able to purchase a few items to help me get started. I would suggest you do the same or you can make a request on Donors Choose or Go Fund Me.

I purchased 4 hanging file boxes with lids, hanging files, and file folders. I put module 2 and 3 together along with 5 and 6. It saved me space only having 4 boxes. (I'll tell you about the blue tub beside the box later.)

In the front of my box, I keep the set of "I can" statements (get them here individually or in a bundle) and files with miscellaneous items I need for the module.  

My first file holds a set of 5 group cards and 10 frames. Because they are used so much in the module, I keep them in front to make them easy to grab. This is the only piece of a lesson that I do not file with a lesson.

 I also have my search the room, or walk the room activities. I made these as part of a game/activity pack to help my kids practice skills taught in module 1. I have a math shelf with activities that I made that I will share with you later.

The next file is a set of worksheets that I had or that I found online. I use them as supplements for extra practice, morning work, homework, or RTI. 

Simply, all supplemental material and flashcards that are used constantly go in the front. 

Now it's time for the lessons. I have a file folder for each lesson. The file contains a copy of the lesson and any materials that are needed for that lesson. Lesson 1, which is in the picture, is actually in a bag because there are pieces that I didn't want to lose. 

I have teacher editions, but I keep a copy of the lesson with notes in the file because it's easier to pull out the copy to refer to as I'm teaching. (The blue socks came from The Dollar Tree, which is were a lot of my materials come from.)

Bigger supplies go in a labeled bag in the back of the box with a written note on the outside of the file folder.

 









I quickly learned to leave everything I need, even if it's small items around the room in that lesson's folder. It's easier to just grab the math folder with all of your materials ready to go and then put them away after the lesson, ready to go for next year. I spent more money on card stock to be able to do this, but its worth the money. I tried sharing materials between lessons, but in the end, I couldn't remember the original lesson that the material went into.

Make notes on the outside of the folders. The flip book referred to in lesson nine is part of my module materials packet.

For lesson 14, I made a note to teach this lesson over a two day period because it was introducing the addition and equal signs. I used the problem set for the first day and the homework as the problem set on the second day.

Making notes makes it easier to remember what and how to each next year.

These are my "I can" statements that I keep in the front of the box ready to go for each module. There's an "I can" statement for each lesson and a page of new terms for each module.

I hope I have given you some good ideas to help organize your math modules and your lessons. I realize that teaching these modules can become overwhelming and time consuming. Keep checking back for more math posts.

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Did you ever have an idea of what you wanted or needed for your classroom, but was unable to find what you were looking for? Well, that was me last year. After reading tutorials and watching YouTube videos on how to download and save fonts and clip art, I learned how to create exactly what I wanted. Case in point, my new color and shape cutouts for my bulletin board. I wanted something cute, that wasn't large or tied to a theme. I also wanted to make sure it covered all of the color words and shapes that I was teaching and assessing this year for easy reference. I'm excited with how they turned out!

Click here to get them free in my TPT store, Fun in Room 428. 

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Story retelling ribbons are a great way to help students with reading and listening comprehension. It's a visual reminder of story elements. By the end of the year, my students can retell a story without prompting or support.

All of the materials came from Hobby Lobby, but I'm sure you can find them at any craft store. The palm tree, mermaid, and pirate symbols are made of thin wood that's already painted. There were many to choose from in the unfinished wood section of the store. Since our theme last year was pirates, I picked what I thought would represent setting, characters, problem, solution, and the three little jewels represent retelling the story from beginning, middle, and end. I hot glued them on a ribbon, which I keep on a magnetic clip so that I can hold it up or move it to my small group table.

Palm tree ~ setting

Mermaid ~ characters

Pirate Flag ~ problem (pirates are coming)

Jewels ~ retell beginning, middle, and end

Pirate Ship ~ solution (pirates are going away)

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Well, by looking at these pictures, I see it's time to go ahead and get the professional camera I have been wanting for the past 10 years. I think I'll buy one next month for my birthday. I wish you could see the bright colors in my room that are accented by these super cute borders. I teach kindergarten, and I have always decorated my room with the kid theme. You know, safari, jungle, pirate, superheros, but this year I wanted a change. I went with something more "grown up." I went to my room yesterday to changed my backgrounds and borders and to add new words to my word wall to reflect our new reading curriculum. It's a work in progress, but I still have three weeks until school starts.

Our district divides sight words into four lists with each list being taught and assessed during one of four nine week grading periods. My first year teaching, I added the words as they were introduced, but I realized that doing so wasn't good for acceleration. I had kids who were already reading and writing, so why not have all of the words on the word wall? We also have the "orange" words. They are additional words that I've added through the years that my kids usually ask me how to spell.

A couple of years ago, I divided the T's because at the time, this was the largest group. I made sure that I posted the "th" a little below the "T," making sure it's not in line with the rest of the letters, because it's a subgroup. In doing so, I have noticed that my kids learn and retain the "th" sound quicker.

I would do the same with "wh," but the word WHO doesn't begin with the "wh" sound.

I also added the "ed" and "ing" endings on a pink note with the words "now" and "past" written in small words in the bottom corner.

My vowels headings are also a different color.

You may notice that my words are not in alphabetical order. I keep my words in order as they are introduced from our word list.

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