Bridges in Mathematics (K-5)
Overview
The Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District has adopted the Bridges in Mathematics, 2nd edition program.
Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive K-5 curriculum that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. It weaves together the standards for content and practice in ways that support student learning by encouraging students to explore, develop, test, discuss, and apply ideas.
The curriculum features key visual models that deepen students’ mathematical learning while engaging with mathematical content. It focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and reasoning abilities through age appropriate problems and investigations in the areas of number, operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, data, and geometry.
Link to Parent Resources on the Bridges website- Unit overviews, games and activities you can do at home
Bridges Activities
A Bridges classroom features a combination of whole group, small group, and independent activities that are problem centered.
- Problems & Investigations (K-5)
Problems & Investigations are whole-group activities that also incorporate periods of independent and partner work. They often begin with a problem posed by the teacher, followed by time for students to think independently, work for a period of time, and talk in pairs before reconvening to share and compare strategies and solutions as a whole class.
- Work Places (K-5)
Work Places are engaging; developmentally appropriate math stations/centers that offer ongoing practice with key skills. Many Work Places are partner games, but some are independent activities or more open-ended partner work. Work Places are always introduced and practiced as a whole class, after which students have opportunities to repeat the Work Place over a period of weeks. Work Places include suggestions that enable the teacher to differentiate each activity to address students’ needs for additional support or challenge.
- Math Forums (3-5)
Students discuss their solutions to and strategies for solving problems in nearly every Bridges lesson. Math forums, which occur a few times in most units, are a more formal and structured time for students to share and discuss their work. During this time, students are expected to listen carefully, compare their classmates’ work to their own, and ask questions to understand each student’s ideas.
- Problem Strings (3-5)
Problem strings are fast-paced exercises in which the teacher presents a carefully structured sequence of problems one at a time to the entire class. Each time, students solve the problem independently using any strategy they like, and then the teacher uses a specific model (a number line or ratio table, for example) to represent students’ strategies. The goal is to help students develop efficient ways of solving particular problems.
- Assessments (K-5)
Assessments are completed with the teacher or independently depending on grade level. Teachers have many opportunities, especially during Work Places, to make observational assessments of students working in small groups and to adjust the activity immediately based upon those observations.
- Number Corner (K-5)
Number Corner is a skills program that is an essential part of the Bridges curriculum. This collection of quick daily skills activities makes use of a classroom display featuring a calendar, growing collections, number lines, and more. The display engages students and contributes to a math-rich classroom environment that promotes both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding.
Bridges Home Connections (Homework)
- Home Connections assignments are sent home at the discretion of your child’s teacher. At times, your child may bring home math games or activities for you to enjoy together, but the main role for parents is not to teach but to guide your student and take an interest in their work. You will be receiving Unit Overviews throughout the year that explain the math concepts the class is currently focused on and suggest specific ways you may support your child.