Bridges Implementation: Four Tips

We are so excited to begin using Bridges as our primary resource for teaching math next year! There will definitely be some bumps along the way, but we know it is going to be great for our kids. I frequently read the Bridges Implementation blog and want to share some tips that were posted by a teacher implementing Bridges for the first year.

Tip #1: Routines for Talking & Sharing
Think, pair, shares are a major part of the Bridges math lesson. Make sure you set up strong routines for sharing with partners and sharing with a whole class. When time to share as a class, think strategically about who you want to share: random by Popsicle stick? student who you listened in on during the pair portion?

Tip #2: Select which problems you will work through
Time is going to be tight. We are taking lessons that were intended to be taught in a whole group model and putting them into a rotational model. We will have to keep lessons moving, and may not have time to do all the examples every day. When reading the lessons, think about which problems are most important to the days work. Be strategic with your time!

Tip #3: Use your small group time well!

There will be recommendations in unit plans for what to do during small groups, but it is up to you as the teacher to know your kids and what they need. Make the most of your small group time, and differentiate for each group.

Tip #4: Know the objective for the day

Bridges does an amazing job of constantly introducing and spiraling related concepts in a days lessons, but know exactly what your kids need to know on a given day, from a given lesson. Having a clear vision of the goal for the day will help you cut back the lesson and fit in the allotted time and keep your lesson focused. 

Awesome Resource: Word Problem Generator

Last week in Boston, I was able to hear Greg Tang speak and it was incredible! I could have listened to him talk about strong math instruction all day. Besides being a great speaker and mathematical thinker, Greg Tang also write children's books about math. If you have not checked them out, I highly recommend them. A few of my favorites...

During his talk, he shared a new free resource on his website. 

With this tool, you can select an operation, problem time, location of the unknown, and the number range. You can either print a list of problems or you can display to project and work on together as a class. Students can also use this independently. There is a hint button that will give them a model to help solve. It is a really awesome tool!

Guess My Number

Last week, I was in Boston at the NCTM conference and learned lots of great things that I am excited to share. 1 great session was hosted by Math Solutions (Marilyn Burns) company and focused on using the ten frame to play games and build numeracy. This game is really simple, does not require a lot of prep, and has lots of built in differentiation opportunities.

Game 1: Guess My Number with the Ten Frame

Materials Needed: Ten Frame, two colored chips

In this activity, you will give students a series of clues and they will build a guess of your number on their frame. After each clue, students should have the chance to talk through their predictions and why it is a good guess. Really focus on the discussion and why their predictions are changing.

Here is an example string of clues:
1) My number is more than 6
2) My number is less than 9
3) My number is even

You can mix the clues up to review any content that your students are struggling with (doubles facts, multiples, 1 more/ 1 less, so many possibilities!) Make sure your last clue gives them enough information to figure out the number.

Geometry Password

There are a lot of math topics in elementary school that require constant spiraling for students to retain the information. Shapes are on of those skills that just need to be part of a routine and frequently referenced for students to learn and remember the information. Mrs. R at KACE came up with a great routine to help her 2nd graders practice naming shapes. 

Each time they line up to enter the room, they must name a 2D and 3D shape to enter, both fun and useful review :) 

Behavior Routines to Practice Challenging Concepts

In the classroom, there are so many issues that come up that teachers create special incentive systems to help motivate better choices.  Having a routine that students practice daily really helps them to focus on specific behaviors and can be used to build their skills on more challenging math topics. In 2nd grade, some students were having trouble during computer time. They were not treating the computers well, purposely causing them to malfunction, and not focusing on iStation or ST Math.

To help with this, Ms. M decided to give students points each day that they showed integrity with the computers. Rather than giving them a tally mark or coloring in a box each day, she used it as a teachable moment with fractions. See below for how class points are tracked and all the rich math conversations and practice that can be incorporated in this behavior routine. Also, notice that the reward is also academic rather than a treat or non academic time :) Great ideas, Ms. M!

Focus on Fluency: Red Light/ Green Light: Couting by Ones

Counting practice daily is really important because it helps students build and maintain counting skills, as well as serves as a foundation for adding and subtracting within 100.

Here is a quick and easy game that will both practice counting and help kids get their wiggles out.

1) Say a number between 1 and 100.
2) When you say "green light" students begin running in place and counting aloud together, beginning with the number you said.
3) When you say "red light" students stop counting and freeze.  Any students who are still counting or moving after you say "red light" sit down until the next game.
4) Continue playing starting with a new number each time you say "green light".
5) Play until only a few students are left standing, then have everyone stand and play again.

A suggested sequence of start numbers: 15, 28, 35, 48, 55, 68

Focus on Fluency: Shake Those Disks

Here is another fun activity from Eureka math that can be used to build fact fluency. This one takes a bit of prep work and probably about 5 - 10 minutes to play.

Students will play in partners, for each pair you need:
(6) two color disks, beans, or coins (you can make them by spray painting one side of beans)

(1) Shake Those Disks 6 board

Instructions:

1) Once students are in partners, tell them they will take turns as the "shaker" and "recorder".

2) The shaker shakes the beans and tosses them on the table.

3) The recorder then records the roll on the Shakes Those Disks board.

Example: If the shaker tolls 4 red and 2  white, the recorder puts an X on the graph above the 4 and 2 number bond.

4) Players switch roles.

You can play this with any amount of beans, depending on which facts you want to focus on. The goal is for students to build automaticity with facts within 10. 

Have fun!