Search in the menu to navigate to pages that highlight what you can do at home and to learn about the different strategies you might see your students practicing at home.
The Why
"The idea behind today’s math is not just to do it, but also to understand how and why we do it. Students do not just learn numbers, equations, angles and theorems, but also put in context why these concepts matter in life...Working through series of questions helps your child develop problem-solving skills, which they can apply over and over to everyday life." (From National PTA)
Why is it a good idea to learn multiple strategies? Why not have students memorize basic facts and algorithms?
As students develop their ability to recall basic facts, it makes good sense to address both mastery of the skill (quick recall of facts) and understanding of the concept (the properties of the operation and the relationships between facts). Bridges teaches basic facts by first having students explore the operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) in the context of story problems or situations, which ensures students understand what it means to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. Students then learn strategies for solving basic problems; these strategies illustrate properties of the operation and can be used for mental math with larger numbers (as well as to help recall facts when needed). Finally, students practice the facts until they can recall them from memory.
Bridges teaches students to compute with larger numbers by first establishing conceptual understanding of the operation, then using visual models to learn different ways of calculating, and finally helping them become proficient with efficient algorithms. When computing with larger numbers, students are frequently encouraged to make an estimate first. Estimation promotes number sense, helps students evaluate whether their final answers are reasonable, and encourages them to develop mental math skills that are useful in so many real-world situations.
The What
How will I know if my student is on track? What should they be able to do?
(Click the grade level link below to find out more) (Construction in progress!)
PRE-Kinder (Before starting K)
1st grade
2nd grade
3rd grade
4th grade
5th grade