Learning Snapshots

K2 students are playing the "Which Bug Will Win?" Work Place and learning about probability with spinners.  Work Places are interactive games where students collaborate and share ideas, and reinforce concepts they have been learning. 
This Work Place asks them to predict which bug will win the race and reinforces their counting skills from 1-10.

1st grade students are exploring the concept of fractions in Number Corner.  While fractions are not formally introduced until Grade 3, they get visual and verbal cues that help them develop a foundation for parts of a whole.  
They write number sentences about animals taking a CHOMP (1 whole bite) or a GULP (2 equal bites / half) or a NIBBLE ( 4 equal bites / quarters).
See below for an image of their sentences.

Grade 2 has been exploring estimation skills and using tools for measurement.  Here they are using unifix cubes (in groups of 10) to estimate the length of a roll of paper that is the same height as their classroom door.  After this whole group activity, students worked in small groups to estimate the length of other objects throughout their classroom.

In 3rd grade, students are using arrays and area models to develop conceptual understanding of multiplication.  The calendar grid shows the visual patterns students are exploring and how the size and shape of the array impacts the area of the figure.
See below for the observation chart for this grid as well as some anchor charts.

In Number Corner, Grade 4 is continuing their work with time, focusing more on analog clocks and the concept of elapsed time, from one day to the next and overall by the end of the pattern.  They will work on pattern recognition and predictions for when certain events (like the clock returning to the hour position) will occur next on the grid as they build fluency with time.

5th graders are beginning their work on the multiplication of whole numbers by fractions as a way to understand division.  This skill ties directly back into the use of arrays in Grade 3 as a representation of multiplication and builds upon previous learning. 
This is one example of how Bridges strategies and skills are repeated and used to build deeper understanding as the curriculum progresses.

In middle school, students use manipulatives to explore patterns in three dimensions, utilizing familiar tools to strengthen and deepen their understanding in K-5 with Bridges.

Students then work toward more abstract understanding of patterns and the ability to generalize.  This provides the foundation for more abstract skills that will be critical for Algebra.

Number Sentences from Grade 1 for
CHOMP! GULP! and NIBBLE!

Anchor Charts for Arrays and Multiplication 
Grade 3

Observation Chart for November Number Corner Grid for Grade 3

Another representation from Grade 5 Arrays