We are sad to share the news that our co-founder, Dr. Eugene Maier, passed away earlier this month after a long illness. Gene was a pioneer in developing visual methods for understanding math, and had an unshakeable belief in the ability of each person to find their inner mathematician. Over the span of his distinguished career as a professor, author, and thought leader, Gene had a profound impact...
The year is coming to an end. Soon your classroom will be quiet. No more pencils, no more books, no more finger counting, no more area models, no more calendar grid markers, no more pattern blocks and geoboard bands and base ten pieces littering the floor. As Sam Keen said, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” You’ve earned all the relaxation you can get this summer; enjoy it...
Attending a Getting Started workshop is a foundational experience for Bridges educators. During the workshop, educators gain familiarity with the components of the curriculum, learn how these components work in the classroom, and investigate ways to use questioning techniques and visual models to differentiate instruction for their students. But how can districts support educators who join a...
The year is coming to an end. Soon your classroom will be quiet. No more pencils, no more books, no more finger counting, no more area models, no more calendar grid markers, no more pattern blocks and geoboard bands and base ten pieces littering the floor. As Sam Keen said, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” You’ve earned all the relaxation you can get this summer; enjoy it...
At The Math Learning Center, we are committed to supporting elementary mathematics education that builds on the strengths of all students and teachers. We are always seeking to improve our curriculum and professional learning materials to reflect the most current research on equitable and effective teaching and learning. Recently, we’ve focused our efforts on revising Bridges Intervention to align...
Corey Drake, Senior Director for Professional Learning
Within the math education community, a lot of confusion surrounds the word fluency . Yet Common Core State Standards call for fluency at each grade level. Grades 2 and 3 standards specify that students know a standard “from memory,” phrasing which may further cloud our concept of fluency. In the Ignite Talk “There IS a Difference,” K-5 math educator Graham Fletcher explains the subtle yet powerful...
Now more than ever, families are looking for ways to support their students’ mathematics education. They may not know where to start—the Bridges in Mathematics approach might appear a bit different from the way they were taught math. How can Bridges educators offer families a chance to see what a Bridges classroom looks like? How can they offer ideas and options for fostering their students’ math...
Meet Fawn Nguyen What grades do you teach and/or what is your title/role? My current role is Math TOSA (teacher on special assignment) for a K–8 school district. I support math teachers and their students. What school, district or institution do you work for? Location? Rio School District, Oxnard, CA What motivates you? My own three children and my students motivate me. They are young people whom...
Meet Shelley Whittaker Elementary Educator at Frank W. Begley Public School in Windsor, Ontario What inspired you to become an educator? First and foremost, my love of kids inspired me to become an educator. Also, I credit two all-star educators in high school—Nancy Lilliman and Rick McInnis literally saved my life. And based on the impact they had on my livelihood, I realized the incredible role...
As teachers, we strive to develop classrooms full of competent, confident mathematicians, and we know the vital role families have in supporting that work. But families, in turn, may also need support. The Math Learning Center’s Mathematical Practice Cards for Families can help. The Mathematical Practice Cards are a simple set of four two-sided cards based on the Math Practice Standards and...
