Let's take a minute to talk about how easy it is to teach math and differentiate it in the classroom. Programs we use in the classroom are easy to follow, have less lessons than there are school days and have all levels of differentiation. There is extra practice for your lower students, challenging problems for your gifted students, and lots of vocabulary definitions for your ELL students, all readily available at your fingertips. Lessons are taught in 60 minutes (which is about how much instructional time you have for math) and students only have to be taught them once because they all catch on the first time around.
Anyone have this experience in your classroom?
Now, don't get me wrong, math is not always difficult to teach. I love math. Loved it as a kid and love teaching it, it's just hard when you have so much to teach and so little time to teach it. My grade level and I recently had a data meeting, discussing and planing out our next module that we have to squeeze in when we come back from Spring Break. Not only do we have another module (16 lessons long) but we still have to finish the module we are currently on (another 20+ lessons). Not only do we have to do that, we have to start reviewing and preparing for our state test that we do the 2nd week of May.
Since we are on the topic of math, let's see how many lessons I have to teach in the amount of time I have. We come back March 29th, we start testing May 9th. Not including any days off, sub days, or random flukes in our schedule, that leaves us with 28 days to teach approximately 35 lessons and review. Hmmm that math doesn't sound right to me. What's a teacher to do?
Recently, one of my amazing teammates was informed about a math program that specifically aligns with the curriculum that we use for math (Engage NY). The program is called Zearn. I immediately logged on and starting playing with it. My kids have used it twice now, and when I told them today that they had to get off, most of the kids responded with the "oooohhhh no!" They are into this program, that means I am too!
This program aligns with whatever module you want them to start on. We are currently doing fractions in math, so I have them working on the fraction module. As we get closer to testing, I'll probably put them back into module 1, since we taught it so long ago. This program allows the students to be working independently and reviewing old topics, while I teach my small groups math lesson. I know that both groups of students are benefiting, my small group from instruction and the kids on the Chromebook are constantly reviewing material from our curriculum.
This program allows me to check reports on how students are progressing. Each student should use the program about 30-45 minutes to get through the standards that are included. I have some students do an entire lesson in one sitting, while others are able to finish one and start another. This allows me to "differentiate" and continue giving the students practice. For my lower performing students, it's extra practice, while my higher students are getting constant review.
If you haven't tried this program yet, you should definitely check it out. Go to zearn.org and try it out. As far as I know, it's currently available for 1st-4th grade, should be K-5 soon. It's completely free and requires very little materials for you and your students.
Other programs I have used for math include Tenmarks.com; frontrow.com; and Moby Max. All good programs, each just have their own pros and cons.
Anyone else use Zearn in the classroom?
