Eureka Math ~ Engage NY: Math Tubs

I first started using math tubs two years ago for the modules when I taught kindergarten. (I'm now in 1st.) I used them out of necessity because my kids sat at tables. I needed a quick fix for my kids to grab what they needed for math lessons, but I had no idea how efficient they would become. 

The tubs are shower caddies that I purchased from Wal-Mart in the college dorm decoration section. They are thick, sturdy, and large and deep enough to hold six composition books on one end. 

Contained in the tub are the basic necessities needed to quickly move through the fluency practice, application problem, and concept development stages of the modules.

Dice: two per student ~ later in the year add multi-sided dice for differentiation or add blank dice with number words written on them for sight word practice

Rulers: one per student ~ used as a straight edge at the beginning of the year, but then used to measure later- I have two versions; the basic wood and the inch worm ruler. I also pull out the attachable inch worms for differentiation. Later in the year, I keep about ten inch worm pieces in the tub for my kids to practice measuring in their free time. 

Double-Sided Counters: at least 10 per student ~ My FSU colored counters are plastic because my kids loved to chew on the foam counters. (Oh, how I love watching the Noles and our local high school on Friday nights!)

Unifix or Linking Cubes: one set of 10 for each student ~ Make sure each set of 10 is a different color. Always make sure your kids put the cubes back in same color sets of 10 before the lessons or you'll spend time during your lesson finding and sorting pieces. 

Composition Book: one per student ~ We call these our math journals, and my kids use them to work the daily application problems. (YES, do these daily! Find something else to skip if you need more time.) My kids also use these in their free time to practice skills learned in previous lessons.

Flip Books: one per student ~ The flip books are a part of my kindergarten module materials pack located in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I created the flip books because I didn't want to constantly pass out and collect work mats that were required by the modules. Now, I'm able to tell my kids to get their flip book and turn to the number line, ten frame, or the work mat that's required for the lesson. Because they are readily available, my kids are able to use them during down time to practice learned skills and to use them as a reference because a lot of the pages are mini personal anchor charts.

For a free sample of the first few lessons in Module 1 for kindergarten and first grade, click on the grade level within this sentence. Additional module materials can be found for K and 1st in the "Custom Categories - Engage NY/Eureka Math" section on the left hand side of my store Fun in Room 428.

Before I leave on Fridays, I make sure everything my kids need for the next week are in the tubs. Having the math tubs, manipulatives, and flip books allow me time to teach without needing to pass out and collect materials daily after every activity. Everything my kids need for the ENTIRE WEEK are ready and in the tubs.

These materials are the basics that stay in your tub week after week. There are usually extra papers or individual sandwich bags with lesson materials in the buckets as well. The materials I created in my module packs are stored so that each student has a zippered sandwich bag with a specific lesson's materials. Having materials stored individually makes it fast and easy to transfer from one activity to another. If you own my materials pack, you know what I'm talking about.

I used this method in kindergarten, but not last year in my 1st grade classroom. My kids in 1st had desks that held the materials they needed, but I feel we need better organization this next year. I have asked parents for two plastic pencil boxes with lids; one for their daily supplies and the other as a " Math Tool Kit." The "Math Tool Kit" will basically hold the same materials needed in kindergarten with some additional materials needed for 1st. 

My best advice for you is to think of ways to stay organized and efficient. 

I'll keep you posted with more ideas and tricks that I have learned in my three years of teaching the modules.