Bridges Blog Archive for School and Home

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.

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.

A new PBS Kids Survey reveals that parents need assistance in supporting children's math skills. The PBS Press Release states:

Melissa Rescoe, first grade teacher in Michigan's Lakeshore Public Schools, knows the vital importance of good parent communication. She wrote the following article for the district newsletter, mailed to all households:

Guest blogger Dustin Collins teaches fourth grade at The American School of Kinshasa, DRC (Congo.) After attending a Getting Started Workshop in the states with colleagues this summer, he was excited to introduce Bridges to staff, students and parents. Dustin reports:

The National Parent Teacher Association has developed a series of handouts designed to communicate the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics to parents.

Shannon Gilmore, District 196 Elementary Math Trainer in Minnesota, shares an idea that the second grade team at Highland Elementary recently developed. She writes, "They shrink down the Work Place Planners to 25% of the original size, copy sets of the planners, cut them apart, and then staple them inside a folder. This is a way to save paper and have all the Work Place planners ready to go for the year.