Welcome Back, Huskies Meet Mrs. Nicholson & Dive Into Eureka Math

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Hey there! Welcome to the very first episode of Paws and Progress with Mrs. Nicholson. I’m so excited you’re here with me—whether you’re listening at home, in the car, or maybe even while you’re getting your backpack ready for school. I’m Mrs. Nicholson, your fourth-grade teacher and your host for this podcast. Let me tell you a little about myself. My favorite subject—no surprise here—is math! But I also love reading, especially mysteries. And if you ever want to make my day, just bring me a donut. Seriously, I can’t resist them. I’ve been teaching for a long time, and every year I get more excited to help students like you grow and shine. I love teaching fourth grade because it’s the perfect mix of fun, challenge, and big learning moments. Shout-out to all my scholars at The School at Marygrove—you make our school such a special place. This podcast is our way to review, reflect, and succeed—together! So let’s get started and show that school pride!

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

So, let’s talk about Eureka Math. You might be wondering, “What is it, and why do we use it?” Well, Eureka Math is a way of learning math that helps you think like a real mathematician. It’s not about rushing through problems or just memorizing steps. It’s about really understanding what’s going on and using math in real life. We’ll work through different modules—think of them like big chapters—and each module is broken down into lessons. We’ll take it one piece at a time, step by step. And if you ever feel stuck, that’s totally okay! We’re in this together, and I’ll be right here to help you. Are you ready for Module 1? Let’s break it down and see what we’re learning first.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Okay, Module 1, Lesson 1 is all about place value understanding. That means we’re going to look at numbers and see what each digit really means. Let’s go over some key vocabulary first. A digit is just any single number—like 3, 4, 8, or 2. Place value tells us what each digit is worth, depending on where it is in the number. And expanded form? That’s when we break a number apart to show the value of each digit. Let’s try one together. If I have the number 3,482, what does that look like in expanded form? I’ll give you a second to think. Okay, here’s how I’d do it: 3,000 plus 400 plus 80 plus 2. So, 3,000 + 400 + 80 + 2. If you want, you can pause the podcast and try it with a different number—maybe your house number or your favorite jersey number. Remember, you’ve got this! Math is just a puzzle, and you’re great at solving it.

Candice Nicholson (Jackson)

Before we wrap up, I want you to remember—you can listen to this episode as many times as you need. If you want to practice with your family, go for it! Maybe teach them something new about place value. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your classmates. We’re going to crush fourth grade, Huskies—one lesson at a time! Next episode, we’ll jump into Lesson 2 and I’ve got a special shout-out planned, so you won’t want to miss it. Keep learning, keep leading, and keep showing that Husky pride. See you next time!