Support for Grade 1 Families
If your child is using Bridges Grade 1, you may find the resources below helpful.
What Your First Grader Will Learn (PDF)
Your child’s teacher may use the Math Skills & Concepts Student Report to communicate with you about how your child is doing in math class. This report is meant to provide an overall picture of your child’s progress at a given point in the year. It does not include every skill or idea your child will study in math class. To get a more complete picture of how your child is doing, you can also read your school’s report card, talk to your child’s teacher, and ask to see examples of your child’s work including class work and tests. Revised standards in some states expect students to master some of the skills we have designated as “beyond first grade.” For example, updated Washington standards require first graders to read, write, compare, and order numbers to 120.
Overview of Grade 1 Units (PDF)
Each two-page handout below provides a quick overview of what students will learn in a single Bridges unit. They include sample problems with answers, so you may find them useful when helping with homework. If you're not sure what unit your child's class is in right now, ask his or her teacher, or look at the small print at the top of the most recent homework assignment. Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6
Math with Your First Grader (PDF)
This handout offers advice on how to help with homework and make math a fun and useful part of family life. English Spanish
Parents as Partners
The Oregon Council for Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) offers a pamphlet to assist parents in their efforts to support and encourage their children in mathematics. Download the pamphlet. English Spanish
Math Vocabulary for Grade 1 (PDF)
Use these pages to refresh your memory of key terms you may need to help with your first grader’s homework. Definitions include examples and pictures. English Spanish
If you want to look up other words, we recommend using A Maths Dictionary for Kids, which includes definitions, examples, animations, and even practice games.
Home Connections for Grade 1
Pages and assignments from Home Connections book. Please note that there are no Unit Four Home Connections.
Online Skills Practice for Grade 1
Free, age-appropriate computer games can help your child practice basic skills at home. Play with your child the first time to make sure the game matches your child's interests and abilities. If your child has trouble focusing, the graphics may be too distracting. Young children benefit from hands-on experiences and interaction with other people, so when you have time, play board games and talk to your child about the math he or she is doing. There is no substitute for your interest and involvement!
Counting
Speedy Pictures 1 A small quantity of dots, beads, eggs, or fingers is displayed for a few seconds, and the player clicks on the matching number. The quantities are displayed in groupings that lead children away from counting one by one, toward recognizing small groups, counting on, and adding to find the total.
Counting Fish The player counts small numbers of animated fish. Talk to your child about different ways to count the fish, perhaps by finding groups of 2 or 3 fish. Players scoring 70% or better will move to the next level. Audio directions.
How Many Ants Do You See? The player counts the ants and clicks on the corresponding number. Ants are grouped and color-coded in ways that help children practice counting strategies. Audio directions.
Ten Frame Select from several games that challenge students to count objects, build numbers, or answer basic addition problems using a ten frame. A Five Frame is also available.
Number Sequencing
Numerical Order Players put numbers in order from 1-10. Advanced levels include numbers from 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, etc. Audio directions.
Super Connect the Dots! In these connect the dot pictures, you set the counting sequence. For example, you could set the sequence to "2" and have your child practice counting by 2s while forming a picture. Before you begin, practice the counting sequence aloud with your child. Consider using counting sequences of 1s, 2s, 5s, or 10s.
Basic Addition
Speedy Pictures 2 Similar to Speedy Pictures 1, players race to beat a timer as they add the number of dots shown on 2 dice, the number of fingers shown on two hands, or the number of beads shown in two rows.
Addition with Manipulatives Players see and hear an addition problem. They can drag marbles onto a work surface to help them figure out the problem. Play includes five levels of addition, starting with simple 1 digit problems. Players must score 70% or greater to advance levels. Audio directions.
Bonds of Ten Set a whale free by adding pipe sections with numbers to make ten. Before your child begins, talk about the number combinations that make ten. You might even look at different ways to make ten using game pieces, marbles, or pennies. Children may need some help to get started. No audio instructions.
MathTappers: Find Sums An iApp compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, this simple, free game uses ten frames and is designed to help learners make sense of addition. It's an excellent game to explore with your child while you're on the go.
Basic Subtraction
Balloon Pop Subtraction View a subtraction problem and pop balloons to figure out the solution. 3 levels of difficulty available as well as audio directions.
Repeating Patterns
Moon Rock Patterns The player looks at a repeating pattern of colored dots and then chooses the dot that comes next. Ask your child to explain how he or she can tell what comes next and to show you where the pattern starts and where it ends. Levels become increasingly difficult.
More Games
The sites below contain some of the best games for elementary math students to play at home. Look through the sites to find other games for your child.
ABCya!
Johnnie's Math Page
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Read Math Books Together
Children of all ages enjoy sharing books with a caring adult. Visit our Virtual Bookshelf for suggested titles that will help improve skills, foster positive attitudes toward math, and create opportunities for family togetherness.
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