Bridges Blog

A year ago, we shared resources for families to encourage math practice at home during the summer. This updated list provides more vacation inspiration. Teachers may wish to print some of the resources as part of a summer learning packet.

Since the release of the free Geoboard App, I've used it to represent a variety of visual models. But I especially love its power when it comes to multiplying fractions. While a regular geoboard can be divided into parts to show a fraction, the app takes the visual model a step further with the ability to paint in the part of the fraction that you actually have.

If you're preparing to teach Bridges Grade 3, Unit 8 on bridges, you might want to view the 15 Longest Bridges in the World. (Due to advertising on the page, preview before sharing with your class.) Students will find it hard to believe that bridges can be over 100 miles long! Pose some questions:

On the Flip Flop Math blog (April 26, 2013), Colorado teacher Cindy Pray recently wrote "Problem Solving with Farmer Bob." The entry includes many examples of student work in which students must find the sum of legs for collections of farm animals.

When I saw A Learning Journey's blog entry on "Batty Measurements: A Wingspan Comparison," I immediately thought of Bridges Grade 4, Unit 8, "Wingspans: Measurement & Data Analysis." Although the featured student is younger, Bridges fourth graders would enjoy visiting the blog to see the immense diversity in the wingspans of anothe

A recent blog article considered how Bridges uses anchor charts to solidify student thinking. But what's the difference between an anchor chart and any other classroom poster? And how can we maximize their value in a Bridges classroom? Let's consider ten ideas for creating anchor charts:

Bridges teacher Donna MacKenzie recently held parent-teacher conferences at Mary Hogan School in Middlebury, Vermont. She writes, "EVERY parent (that's 20!) said, 'My child loves math!'" It's not the first time she's heard the sentiment.