You’ve made it through the summer PDs, untangled your first set of math manipulatives, and maybe even remembered all your login passwords. Now what?
Whether you’re new to Illustrative Math® or looking to sharpen your setup, here are four tools that will make your year smoother,
Secret Weapon #1: IM Assessment Tracker- More Insight, Less Guesswork 📊
This free Google Sheet tracks every checkpoint and end-of-unit assessment from Grades 1–5. You can tag mastery by standard, see class trends at a glance, and even link student work samples. It’s simple, shareable, and way more organized than that “Assessment Data” folder collecting digital dust in your drive. Grab the free tracker here.
Secret Weapon #2: IM-Aligned Spiral Reviews-Retrieval Practice To Start Each Day 🔁
These no-prep warm-ups are built to match your IM unit pacing. Each week includes new content + a handful of throwback questions from earlier units to keep concepts fresh.
🧠 Why it works: Retrieval practice and spaced review are two of the most research-backed ways to boost retention. When combined, they’re like the peanut butter and jelly of long-term learning. Read more about spaced retrieval practice in the IM curriculum here. Find the IM-aligned Spiral Review packs here.
Secret Weapon #3: Zearn – Your Digital Co-Teacher 🖥️
Zearn isn’t officially aligned with IM, but it pairs surprisingly well in a flipped model. Students preview a concept at home (or independently), so your small groups can jump straight into discussion, problem-solving, or reteaching. Alternatively, use Zearn for intervention students.
Just be sure to set clear expectations. Keeping students on the right lesson can be tricky. I gave them freedom to work ahead (less work later = big win), and tied progress to our Classroom Economy. That combo kept things running smooth(ish).
👉 Check out Zearn.organd this correlation chart to help it fit your IM pacing. Note: I’m not endorsed by Zearn. I just think it’s outstanding!
Secret Weapon #4: Math Mysteries- Unit Assessment Review With Maximum Engagement 🕵️♀️
Each unit-aligned math mystery blends rigorous problem-solving with a story-driven twist: a circus thief, a missing wand, a rogue robot. Students solve clues to narrow down suspects and crack the case—no re-teaching required.
Each mystery takes about three hours total, making it ideal for test prep, end-of-unit review, or adding some math-themed drama to your Friday plans.
Honorable Mention: Prodigy- Your Secret Weapon for State Test Prep 🎮
Yes, it’s fun. Yes, it’s gamified. But when used to target state standards and review old concepts- not just for free play, it’s a powerful way to reinforce learning and boost state testing scores.
Set clear goals, assign targeted practice, and use the reporting to guide real instruction. Students love it, and it’s easy to implement. Don’t walk up the down escalator when it comes to math review. Let the kids play and learn at the same time.Check out Prodigy here.
Final Thoughts: Stack Your Toolbox Early 🛠️
No one tool does it all, but this lineup can seriously lighten your load. ✅ Data? Tracked. ✅ Content? Reviewed. ✅ Unit Assessments? Crushed. ✅ Kids? Engaged. ✅ You? Still sane by October.
Need More Support? Get in Touch 📚
If you’re in a leadership role and want to pilot the above resources in your school/district, fill out this quick form. We’ll follow up with a Google Drive link with the products. 👉 Note: The above form is just for instructional leaders (principals, coaches, curriculum directors, etc.).
If you’re a classroom teacher, scroll to the bottom of each product category page to grab free samples and try them out right away.
You’ve just wrapped up the unit on area. Your students seemed to get it, they measured rectangles, calculated square units, and explained their reasoning beautifully. But now it’s Unit 5. You ask a multiplication-based area question, and get crickets. Sound familiar?
The Illustrative Mathematics® curriculum is conceptually rich and thoughtfully sequenced. But it moves fast. Without an intentional review structure in place, earlier learning fades fast. This can be an issue when state testing rolls around.
🔹 Forget-Me-Not: What Research Says About Helping Students Retain Learning
Forgetting is normal. In fact, our brains are built to forget unused information so they can focus on what feels most relevant.
That’s where spacedretrieval practice comes in.
Spaced retrieval practice means recalling information from memory, not re-reading or re-hearing it. In IM, this looks like students answering questions from past and current units.
Research backs up spaced retrieval practice:
John Hattie (2009) ranks both retrieval practice and spaced practice well above the 0.4 threshold that marks a strategy as worth implementing. When combined, they offer a powerful effect on long-term learning.
Dunlosky et al. (2013) identified retrieval practice as one of the most effective learning strategies across a wide range of age groups, subjects, and learning environments. Their research highlights its exceptional value for promoting long-term retention,
When state testing rolls around, students who’ve practiced retrieving content all year long are far more prepared to access what they’ve learned, without the panic.
🔹The Easiest Way to Build in Spaced Retrieval Practice Without Added Workload
OurIM-Aligned Spiral Reviews are perfect for implementing this practice without adding teacher workload.
Each week includes:
15-20 questions to promote explicit practice of the current and most recent IM Unit Topics.
4–5 questions that spiral back to content from earlier Units
Low-stakes review to reduce pressure and increase participation
A Teacher Tip of the Week to explain new concepts simply for families
No extra prep. No reinventing the wheel.
🔹 Conclusion: One Routine, Big Payoff
Spaced retrieval practice helps students hold onto what they’ve learned and what they’re learning at that time
Spiral Reviews deliver both, plus a calmer classroom, an easy homework solution, and better preparation for state-testing.
🔹 What Next? Try It Out
If you’re a school or district leader interested in piloting this and other IM-aligned resources (available for Grades 2–5), take 5 minutes to fill out this form. We’ll be in touch shortly with next steps.
If you’re a homeroom teacher, scroll down on this page to access the first three weeks free and discover how consistent review can make a big difference in your classroom.
🔹 Bonus Read: Better Scores, Calmer Starts, and Happier Homework
✅ Calming Start to the Day
Teachers tell us it creates smoother mornings, less downtime, and a focused start to the math block. Check out what this user said.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “While using this resource, my students stayed engaged and excited to learn. It was challenging yet fun for them to work on these sheets.”
✅ A Homework Option that Actually Helps
IM doesn’t come with built-in homework. These Spiral Reviews can fill that gap with work that’s both purposeful and printable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “My students are enjoying this resource as homework… they feel homework is faster and less stressful. As a teacher, I don’t have to spend time looking for resources to download and print.”
Whether you’re brand new to Eureka or have a few years under your belt, this post will give you a fresh set of tools to make the program work even better for you and your students.
After using the tools and approaches in this post, I noticed real gains in student understanding and assessment scores. You can see our class MAP data below. More importantly, students felt proud of what they accomplished, and that’s what stuck with me most.
By combining Eureka’s structured lessons with a few creative and student-friendly tools, I saw big shifts in understanding and engagement. I’ve written about some of these before, but today I’m putting the full list in one place.
Secret Weapon #1: Zearn (Flipped Classroom Model)
Zearn is totally free, works perfectly with Eureka, and honestly feels like something you’d usually have to pay for. It’s full of engaging visuals and step-by-step lessons that help students understand concepts more clearly. Best of all, kids love it. Trust me… they’d choose Zearn over listening to my boring voice any day!
This year, I used Zearn in a flipped classroom setup. Students completed the next day’s lesson for homework, which meant they came in ready to go. I explained the system clearly at the start of the year, talked it through with parents, and tied it into our classroom economy. Every completed Zearn lesson earned students $50 in class money. That little incentive kept motivation sky-high.
Want to change things up this year? Try flipping your routine with Zearn.
Secret Weapon #2: Math Mystery Assessment Reviews
You know that collective groan students let out when they hear the word assessment? That’s the sound that inspired me to create the fictional world of Mathville, home to quirky characters like Sir Mathsalot, Kitty Purry, and Sheriff Subtraction. Each Math Mystery review features one of these characters facing a curious problem. Something has gone missing, and it’s up to your students to solve math problems, uncover clues, and crack the case.
In the Grade 3 Module 2 review, for example, they’ll help Stinky Pete figure out which pirate stole his ship by solving multiplication problems. In Grade 4 Module 3, they’ll work alongside Dr. Quantumblunder to stop a computer virus from spreading through Mathville. The stories are lighthearted, but the math is rigorous and students stay motivated from start to finish.
Here’s a look at how other teachers have used these mysteries in their own classrooms.
Secret Weapon #3: Spiral Reviews To Cover Earlier Content
Spiral Reviews became a quiet hero in our classroom. By the time end-of-year testing rolled around in May, it had been 8 months since students had worked on rounding in Module 1, 6 months since measurement conversions in Module 2, and 3 months since multiplication in Module 3. Still, they handled the “Number and Operations” section with confidence, and 60 percent of them scored in the 80th percentile or above.
Breakdown of Achievement Percentile: Blue = 80th and above, Green = 61-80, Yellow = 41-60, Orange = <20
That kind of long-term retention does not happen by luck. Each morning, students warmed up with short, skill-packed problems that pulled from both current and earlier modules. These were not the usual worksheet yawners either. We incorporated our usual wacky characters into problems, keeping things playful and unexpected. When students are having fun and enjoying their work, learning is so much deeper. Take a look below to see how we mix humor with rigor across concepts.
Whether you use them to start the day, send home for practice, or revisit tricky concepts, Spiral Reviews offer a flexible way to keep learning on track. With so much content to retain, it’s been helpful to have something that touches on earlier modules in a fun and meaningful way.
Take a look at what other teachers have said about them:
If you’ve heard of Prodigy, you might be thinking, “Isn’t that the game where kids just run around and avoid doing math?” That can happen, but only if expectations aren’t made clear. In our classroom, Prodigy is a privilege. When used well, it’s a powerful tool for math practice. The platform offers strong tracking features and lets you align questions to your state assessments like CAASPP, STAAR, MAP, or MSA. With a little teacher input, it becomes a smart way to keep students engaged in targeted practice.
If this were a blog post about boosting ELA scores, I would go into further detail about the amazing Prodigy English game. However, since we’re focused on math, I’ll let you discover the benefits of Prodigy English on your own!
Secret Weapon #5: Building Thinking Classrooms
I’ll be honest, I’m the kind of teacher who side-eyes anything that isn’t backed by solid research. After watching schools jump into trendy programs (and then scramble when they don’t work), I try not to fall for the next big thing. That said, Building Thinking Classrooms really got me thinking.
While it’s still light on large-scale research, what I saw in my own classroom was hard to ignore. BTC got my students talking, thinking, and solving problems in new ways. If you want to read about how I brought BTC to life in my classroom, take a look at Part 1 of my blog series on the topic here.
Honorable Mention #1: Module Brochures
Developing conceptual understanding is at the heart of the Eureka program. Parents might grumble that Eureka spends too much time exploring the same concepts in different ways. “Why can’t we just teach multiplication the way I learned it? What’s the deal with the area model?”
Explaining the “why” behind Eureka to parents can be tough. That’s why we created the parent-module brochures. These were a hit at orientation night and served as a handy reference for parents throughout the year. The brochures helped outline the program for both teachers and parents. While I can’t directly link high MAP scores to these brochures, I know parents appreciated being kept in the loop. We have two formats (Common Core and TEKS), both available in English and Spanish. Digital versions are also included to send home via Seesaw, email, etc.
Ever found yourself wondering what to do with those speedy students who finish their Problem Sets 20 minutes before everyone else? The Module-Aligned Choice Boards are the perfect solution. Fast finishers won’t disrupt your small-group instruction once you introduce these choice boards.
The activities are module-aligned and reinforce skills in an engaging, creative way. With a variety of activity types (artistic design, puzzles, research reporting, team games, etc.), there’s something fun for every student.
Data and organization come together for our final honorable mention. This simple tool made report writing so much easier and gave admin a clear snapshot of our Grade 4 progress. It tracks mid- and end-of-module assessments, with color-coded cells to show where students are performing: above, at, approaching, or below grade level. You can also mark whether each standard has been met. Combine this with your targeted practice, and you’ve got a powerful system to support student growth.
The best part? These gradebooks are free to download. Just grab the one you need from the links below.
Eureka is a stellar program. Just following the lesson script usually yields great outcomes. But the “secret weapons” I’ve shared are how I’ve built on Eureka’s solid framework by adding a touch of excitement and fun. If you’d like to keep updated on all of our future tips and resources, follow our TpT store.
I’d love to know how you’ve implemented any of these ideas or how you’re planning to use them this year! Let me know in the comments box!
As elementary teachers, we guide our students through the Eureka program, a journey filled with new concepts and deep learning. Each module opens up a new area to explore. While the program is beautifully sequenced, it can also feel overwhelming due to the sheer amount of content. This can be tough not just for students, but for parents too.
In his book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Peter Liljedahl reminds us that, much like navigating land or sea, learners need two things to move forward: a sense of where they are and a clear idea of where they are going. Without both pieces, it’s easy to feel lost.
For someone to be able to navigate, by land or by sea, they need two pieces of information—where they are and where they are going. Both pieces of information are vital and of equal value. If they don’t know where they are going, they are destined to get lost. And if they don’t know where they are, well, then they are already lost. The same is true of students trying to navigate their own learning—they need to know where they are and where they are going.
(Peter Liljedahl, 2020)
To help with this, we created the Eureka Module Parent Brochures. These brochures act as a compass and map, showing where students are in the program and what lies ahead. They are helpful for families, but they also give teachers a clear, quick reference without needing to dig through pages of the teacher manual. Brochure bundles are currently available for:
Think of these brochures as your compact guides through the Eureka program. They’re not just informative & stunning; they’re a breath of fresh air in the often-overwhelming world of the Eureka program.
For the Busy Teacher: We know your time is as precious as the first cup of coffee in the morning. That’s why these brochures are quick to prepare and easy to use. Simply print, fold, and distribute!
For Supportive Parents: Parents often feel like they need a translator for their child’s math homework. The Eureka program often uses unfamiliar language and methods, leaving many parents unsure of how to help. These brochures break down key concepts using simple explanations and clear visuals. They give parents a straightforward understanding of each Topic’s goals, making it easier to support learning at home.
Key Concepts highlighted & explained with illustrated examples
When Paper Fails, PDFs Prevail
Ever feel like half the papers you send home with students enter the Backpack Bermuda Triangle, never to be seen by parents? Worry no more! Each Module Brochure comes with its own Digital Guide, a lifesaver in the age of ‘my dog ate my homework.’
The Digital Guide is a more simplified, easy-to-read PDF version of the brochures. Whether it’s through Classroom Dojo, Seesaw, or email, parents stay informed about what their child is learning. With the digital version sent home, students won’t be able to blame the backpack Bermuda Triangle.
Digital Guides that can be shared on any digital platform
Aligned and Ready: CCSS and TEKS Versions Available
Note: These TEKS guides align with the older TEKS version of Eureka. They do not align with the 2025 version of the Eureka for Texas curriculum. Are you a TEKS teacher tired of coming up short when looking for Eureka-aligned resources? You’re not alone. That’s why our guides come in both flavors- TEKS for the Texas trailblazers and CCSS for the Common Core crew. Even though the TEKS and CCSS programs are as different as pi and pie, our tailored TEKS version ensures you won’t get lost in the math maze, no matter which curriculum map you’re following. At the top of each brochure, we clearly outline the specific standards (CCSS or TEKS) for each Topic. This feature helps parents quickly see that their child’s learning is comprehensive and on track! Whether you’re teaching in Texas or anywhere else, you’ll have a roadmap that’s built to match your path. Cue the cowboy hat tip.
Standards tagged for each Topic in both CCSS & TEKS versions
Bilingual Brochures for Bilingual Homes
Understanding Eureka can be tough for parents, especially when English isn’t their first language. That’s why each brochure includes a Spanish version. Whether it’s multiplicación or multiplication, these translated guides make it easier for families to follow along and support their child’s learning at home.
Spanish versions available for both CCSS & TEKS brochures
Earning Applause in the Hallway and Home: Brochure Brilliance!
These brochures don’t just help students and families, they also make you look like a rockstar to admin. When parents understand the math and feel supported, it shows. And when principals and math leads see your communication tools in action, you just might earn yourself a few extra gold stars. PTA applause, anyone?
Give a visual pop to your brochures by printing on colored card stock.
Teacher-Tested, Parent-Approved
Sure, we think these brochures are pretty great, but don’t just take our word for it. Hear from teachers who’ve actually used them and seen the difference at school and at home.
Closing Credits:
That’s the magic of the Eureka Parent Brochures- clarity, connection, and a whole lot less chaos. These handy guides help your students stay on track, your parents stay informed, and your admin stay impressed.
No more confusion, no more guessing, no more “I had no idea we were learning fractions this week.” With these brochures in your corner, you’ve got everything covered.
So take a bow, teach. You’ve made the Eureka journey feel like smooth sailing.
Brochures for all Modules available for Grades 3, 4, 5
Grab your grade level bundle using the below links:
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