In 2017, SPS began using Bridges in Mathematics, 2nd edition from The Math Learning Center, as our primary resource for elementary mathematics.
As shared on the MLC website, " The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful."
For family resources, including unit overviews and additional games and links, please see the Math Learning Center Family Support website. Select your student's grade level.
In Pre-Kindergarten, instructional time focuses on two critical areas:
(1) developing an understanding of whole numbers using concrete materials, including concepts of correspondence, counting, cardinality, and comparison
(2) describing shapes in their environment.
In Kindergarten, instructional time focuses on two critical focus areas:
(1) representing, relating, and operating on whole numbers, initially with sets of objects
(2) describing shapes and space
In Grade 1, instructional time focuses on four critical areas:
(1) developing understanding of addition, subtraction, and strategies for addition and subtraction within 20;
(2) developing understanding of whole number relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and ones;
(3) developing understanding of linear measurement and measuring lengths as iterating length units; and
(4) reasoning about attributes of, and composing and decomposing geometric shapes.
In Grade 2, instructional time focuses on four critical areas:
(1) extending understanding of base-ten notation;
(2) building fluency with addition and subtraction;
(3) using standard units of measure; and
(4) describing and analyzing shapes.
In Grade 3, instructional time focuses on four critical areas:
(1) developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100;
(2) developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1);
(3) developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and
(4) describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.
In grade 4, instructional time focuses on three critical areas:
(1) developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends;
(2) developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers;
(3) understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.
In Grade 5, instructional time focuses on three critical areas:
(1) developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions);
(2) extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations; and
(3) developing understanding of volume.