Tell Me More About Bridges in Mathematics K-5

Bridges K-2 FAQ

Contents

Why Bridges in Mathematics?

Tell me more about Bridges in Mathematics K-5

Which grade levels will be using the Bridges materials?

Can I field test the materials this spring (or next year for grades 3-5?)

What will students do in math class?

What PD will be available to support the implementation of the curriculum next fall? When?

Who can attend the paid professional development opportunities?

I heard this in an online curriculum. Will I be expected to view everything online?

Will this replace our current resources such as ENY and Algebra for All?

Who will print these materials? Who will pay for reproducibles? Manipulatives?

Are all manipulatives provided with the Bridges kit?

What Technology will be needed?

Will there be an adaptive, online component for students?

Are there resources for students below grade level?

Are there resources to help parents?

Is there homework in Bridges?

Will this adoption support a positive student mathematics mindset?

How will combination classrooms be supported?

I heard some schools are dividing up subjects (departmentalizing) at certain grade levels to help with this transition. Is this recommended?

Why Bridges in Mathematics?

Beginningin 2012-2013 school year a comprehensive committee was formed to adopt a curriculum that was aligned to the CCSS for Mathematics. No materials definitively met the requirements outlined in the CCSS Publishers Criteria at that time, Engage New York was adopted as a three-year interim adoption. In the Spring of 2016, a new adoption committee was formed to review and recommend a fully aligned CCSS aligned curricular resource to the Board of Directors. At the end of this process, the committee unanimously endorsed Bridges in Mathematics as the SPS core curricular resource for K-5 mathematics.

Tell me more about Bridges in MathematicsK-5

Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.

The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful. Read more here. Find more information by grade level here.

Which grade levels will be using the Bridges materials?

The School Board has adopted Bridges in Mathematics and Number Corner (K-5).Click here to view an overview of units. All teachers responsible for teaching mathematics in grade K-2 will begin teaching Bridges in Mathematicsand Number Corner next fall. The following year, in the fall of 2018, grades 3-5 will begin teaching using Bridges in Mathematics and Number Corner. Currently, a grade 6-8 adoption committee has been formed. They will field test materials next year and plan to adopt in the spring of 2018 with an implementation to follow in the fall of 2018.

Can I field test the materials this spring (or next year for grades 3-5?)

Field test teachers have largely been selected based on their involvement and training as part of the adoption committee.

What will students do in math class?

There are eight units of study at each grade level. Each unit includes 20 lessons and takes approximately four weeks to complete. Each lesson takes a single class period. In addition to the main lesson of the day, students also work on their skills in 15- to 20-minute Number Corner exercises, many of which are games.

In Bridges classrooms, students:

Play an active role in their own learning and the classroom community
Talk about math by sharing observations, explaining their thinking, and asking questions
Use hands-on activities and a variety of math tools and visual models to understand how mathematical concepts work
Build stamina for solving complex problems that require perseverance
Play games in small groups to practice what they learn

What PD will be available to support theimplementation of the curriculum next fall? When?

Formal, comprehensive training will begin this spring. Paid professional development opportunities will be offered during and after school next fall as well as during the summer. Also, this year’s Summer Institute will include sessions devoted to supporting these new curricular adoptions.Click here to see a full list of professional learning opportunities. Register here: K-2 Launch Registration

Who can attend the paid professional development opportunities?

All K-2 teachers, resource teachers, math coaches, and interventionists are invited to attend the launching sessions for K-2 Bridges. Continuing training throughout the year will be grade specific and resource teachers, math coaches, and interventionist may choose to attend one grade level.

I heard this in an online curriculum. Will I be expected to view everything online?

No. Teacher guides and other materials will be provided for each teacher. While all materials are valuable online, this is not a digital curriculum that requires access to computers or the internet. However, all teacher and student materials will be organized by grade level and module and posted on Blackboard in additional to the printed materials.

Will this replace our current resources such as ENY and Algebra for All?

Yes, this is a comprehensive curriculum that will replace our current materials. Based on teacher and principal feedback Number Strings, Context for Learning and ENY will remain as part of our approved supplemental curriculum.Investigations and Bridges/Number Corner (1st edition) can be sent back to the warehouse during the obsolete and discard pickup times. A filled out transfer form Kindergarten , First Grade, and Second Grade can be filled out for unwanted ENY teacher guides to the textbook depository.

Who will print these materials? Who will pay for reproducibles? Manipulatives?

Virtually all teacher and student core curricular resources will be printed or purchased for teachers. Some optional components will be printed locally or can be submitted as a print request to the Print Shop. Manipulatives will be delivered in tubs by theteacher to each site this summer for distribution.

Are all manipulatives provided with the Bridges kit?

Almost all manipulatives are provided with the exception of Unifix cubes and pattern blocks. Unifix cubes and pattern blocks need to be ordered from the school supplies manipulative order by May 12 if needed. Many classrooms already have these two items already and will not need to order them.

What Technology will be needed?

The existing technology that we currently have available – projectors and document cameras are encouraged for use. Bridges is not a digital curriculum that requires access to computers or the internet. Digital resources such as interactive manipulatives and white board files for each lesson are available.

Will there be an adaptive, online component for students?

The committee felt strongly that teachers and students would benefit from an online, adaptive math program to complement the core adoption and support differentiation. A program will be announced pending budgetary approval.

Are there resources for students below grade level?

Yes. Teachers have access to a full suite of intervention resources online including diagnostic assessments.Intended to complement regular math instruction, Bridges Intervention is ideal for small groups and could be used with individuals. Students work with models that spur thinking and build confidence—starting with manipulatives, moving to two-dimensional representations and then mental images. Organized by content rather than grade, progress monitoring is key to the program. Each focused, 30-minute session is matched to student needs.

Bridges Intervention was written to address key numeracy and computation skills and concepts for each grade level, K–5. Specifically, Bridges Intervention deals with those clusters identified as major within the following domains: Counting & Cardinality (K), Operations & Algebraic Thinking (K–4), Number & Operations in Base Ten (K–5), and Number & Operations: Fractions (3–5). For more information, click here

Are there resources to help parents?

Yes. There are welcome letters and unit letters which include helpful overviews, visuals, and Q & A sections. Also, there are online supports for parents who want to learn more. Homework is called Home Connection and often asks students to play a game that was introduced in class. This is often well received at home and easier for parents to support and participate.

Is there homework in Bridges?

There is homework in Bridges given at the teacher’s discretion. Typically, homework can be given, one to two times a week for primary grades and two to three times a week for intermediate grades. At times, the homework contains a game or activity the student has done at school to share with family at home. Homework consists of content already covered, either during the current week or a review of past learning.

Will this adoption support a positive student mathematics mindset?

Yes. The committee felt strong that mindset be considered when adopting any new curricular resources. To that end, mindset will be a part of the professional learning offered this spring, summer and next year. Look for online and blended learning opportunities this summer and fall.

How will combination classrooms be supported?

We currently have combination classrooms included in the Bridges Field Test. Feedback on their experience will be reviewed and considered by the Elementary Instructional Math teams and Instructional Programs. This is part of a larger conversation within Teaching and Learning and Human Resources. A digital, adaptive mathematics program will be provided to all combination classrooms.

I heard some schools are dividing up subjects (departmentalizing) at certain grade levels to help with this transition. Is this recommended?

Yes. Some teachers at intermediate grade levels are dividing up some of the content areas to support one another and lighten their planning load. For example, a 5th-grade team may choose to have one teacher take on math and science while the other teacher focuses on ELA and social studies. Some schools are planning to use this model next year to help with the new curriculum resources.

Rev. 5.10.17

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