The math curriculum at Green Hills is not a "textbook based" curriculum. In many schools, the curriculum is written following the lessons in a textbook in sequence, whether the lessons are aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards or not. At Green, we created a curriculum that follows a particular scope and sequence that makes sense for building a strong conceptual understanding of math along with the skills, procedures and applications. Some refer to this as a Concept Based Curriculum.

While Eureka Math is our core program for teachers to begin their work, there are many resources in grades K-8 that teachers will utilize to help students succeed at reaching the target expectations for the grade level, as well as build the foundations needed for the expectations in the following grade levels. For example, in grades K-5, the digital resources from Zearn.org provide additional practice, and reinforce the instruction from class through videos called Math Chats and Learning Labs.

In grades 6-8, Eureka is the foundation for the scope and sequence of topics, however teachers use other resources at their discretion to provide the best instruction on the concepts. Some examples of where teachers draw additional resources are:

Illustrative Mathematics
OpenUp Resources
Sadlier Progress

In grade 8, Algebra 1 is also a course that is taught. Eureka Math's scope and sequence is followed and, again, teachers may access other resources at their discretion to support the learning of the standards. A major second resource is the Glencoe Algebra 1 textbook. 

Green Hills Curriculum

Why Did We Choose Eureka Math?

Eureka Math Parent Page

Eureka Math is probably very different than your math classes in school or the way you learned math.  It is not that one way is better than the other, the key is the expectations that are being put on our students today.  Today's world has many challenges and problems that need to be solved.  Our students will be the ones who will have to solve these problems and most careers will require strong problem-solving skills.  To address this new challenge, we must prepare our students to be thinkers and problem-solvers and really UNDERSTAND math.

This is probably the biggest difference.  Math has been traditionally taught as "math facts" and formulas.  Students were taught just to memorize math facts and one specific way of calculating or solving a math problem.  The trouble with this type of instruction was that many of us never really understood the math we were doing.  We just memorized and solved the problem like the teacher told us to.  Today, the expectations of students are much greater.  Today's standards and assessments are requiring students to solve much more complex problems.  To solve complex problems, student must understand the math concepts and have numerous strategies for solving difficult problems.  Memorizing facts and one strategy may not help solve the complex problems students may face on state assessments and even life.