Bridges Competencies & Experiences

Bridges is designed to enable students to achieve competency in specific areas by year-end while at the same time providing experiences that expose them to areas that will be mastered in subsequent years. The Competencies and Experiences outlined below capture this integrated plan across grades K-5.  For details select View from the table below or download documents by Grades K-2 or Grades 3-5.

See also Scope and Sequence documents K-5 summary / NCTM strands and K-5 by month.

     
Subject Area Grades K-2 Grades 3-5
Number Sense and Numeration View View
Computation View View
Algebraic Thinking View View
Data Analysis and Probability View View
Measurement View View
Geometry View View
     
Grades 3-5 Measurement
Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade
COMPETENCIES
Explain the need for using standard units, and select the most appropriate tool and unit to measure length, weight capacity, and time. Accurately measure length, perimeter, volume, and weight to the nearest metric unit and to the nearest US customary quarter-unit (e.g., 1/4 of an inch). Select and accurately use appropriate units and tools for measuring length, perimeter, weight, and capacity in both metric and US customary systems.
Identify the size of the most commonly used units of measure (e.g., inch, foot, yard, centimeter, meter, cup, quart, gallon, millimeter, liter, ounce, pound, gram and kilogram) to make reasonable estimates. Select the unit that is most appropriate in a given situation. Carry out simple unit conversions, within (but not between) metric and US customary systems of measurement. Determine measurements of length and perimeter to the nearest tenth centimeter and nearest tenth meter.
Develop strategies for determining the area and perimeter of a rectangle. Use models or sketches to demonstrate the fact that perimeter means the distance around something, while the area refers to the size of its surface. Make realistic estimates and measurements using most common units of measure (inch, foot, yard; cup, quart, gallon; ounce, pound; millimeter, centimeter, meter; milliliter, liter; gram, kilogram) and select the unit most appropriate for a given situation. Develop and use formulas for determining the perimeter and area of rectangles and related triangles, parallelograms, polygons, and everyday objects.
Tell time on digital and analog clocks to the minute and determine elapsed time in minutes and hours. Relate the area of a rectangle and its dimensions to area models for multiplication and division. Analyze the effects on area and perimeter of combining two simple geometric figures.
Use thermometer to determine the temperature in both degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit. Develop strategies for finding the perimeter and area of rectangles and related triangles and parallelograms. Know common referents for Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures.
Apply the following equivalencies:
12 inches in 1 foot
3 feet in 1 yard
100 centimeters in 1 meter
4 cups in 1 quart
4 quarts in 1 gallon
60 minutes in 1 hour
24 hours in 1 day		 Estimate and measure the surface area of a rectangular solid using unit squares. Estimate and measure the surface area and volume of a rectangular solid using square and cubic units.
  Estimate temperatures and read thermometers in degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius. Select appropriate tools to accurately measure, identify, and draw perpendicular and parallel lines, rectangles, and triangles.
  Use time fractions (e.g., 1/4 hour) as operants, and then convert back to whole numbers (e.g., 15 minutes). Use a protractor to measure angles up to 180 degrees and recognize obtuse, acute, and right angles.
  Determine elapsed time requiring unit conversions (e.g., weeks to months, minutes to hours).  
EXPERIENCES
Make estimates of length, weight, and capacity and then use the actual measurement to determine the reasonableness of the estimate. Develop precision in measuring objects and solving problems. Develop strategies for estimating the perimeters, areas, and volumes of irregular shapes and rectangular solids. Estimate conversions between customary and metric units. (e.g., one inch is about 2.5 centimeters)
Estimate or determine the surface area and volume of solid figures by covering them with squares or by counting the number of cubes that would fill them. Select and use benchmarks to estimate measurements (e.g., a “square corner” can be used to judge the size of other angles; a paper clip weighs about a gram). Develop strategies for determining approximate volumes of irregular solids.