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Bridges in Mathematics

Building Mathematical Thinkers

Inquiry-based and student-centered, Bridges focuses on developing mathematical reasoning while creating an inclusive and equitable learning community for all students.

Rich Learning Experiences

In a Bridges classroom, students gather evidence, explain their results, and develop respect for others’ opinions. Teachers encourage students to employ multiple strategies when solving problems. They foster student initiative by providing opportunities to work in pairs, discuss in small groups, or share with the whole class. As a result, students develop positive math identities while building problem-solving skills, conceptual understanding, and procedural fluency.

Math Learning Center aims to engage students through hands-on classroom experiences.

Inclusive Learning Environments

Bridges Third Edition brings focus to representation, provides guidance for creating an inclusive learning environment, and includes revised tasks that support equity.

Visual Models Deepen Understanding

Bridges utilizes visual models that build on one another across grade levels. These materials and manipulatives let students represent and interpret numbers, shapes, and patterns—and make sense of mathematics.

Active Learning

Bridges fosters collaboration by incorporating familiar mathematical and instructional routines, ensuring that each student feels heard. Students have opportunities to think independently and work in pairs or small groups before sharing strategies with the whole class. The integration of The Math Learning Center’s apps further encourages active investigation.

Key Elements of Bridges Third Edition

Problems & Investigations

Whole-group activities transition into individual and partner work, followed by a whole-class strategy-sharing session.

Work Places

Engaging games and activities allow students to apply the concepts they explore in Problems & Investigations.

Number Corner

A daily program develops reasoning with inquiry-based activities that engage students in pattern recognition, concept development, and conjecture.

Concept Quests

Rich, open-ended tasks provide horizontal enrichment and additional opportunities for all students to problem solve.

Implementation Support

Professional Learning

New adoption sites receive a free Getting Started workshop led by an experienced Bridges educator. Webinars, online courses, videos, and articles build on the professional learning embedded in the Bridges materials. Additional offerings include the Bridges Leadership Institute, and workshops focused on equitable and effective teaching practices.

Bridges Educator Site

In addition to digital versions of the Teachers Guides and student-facing print materials, the Bridges Educator Site (BES) includes videos, an extensive professional development library, and tips from Bridges classroom teachers. The BES also offers district leaders, principals, and coaches resources to support implementation at the school or district level.

Customer Support

Our customer experience team is dedicated to ensuring you get timely answers to questions that might arise during evaluation or implementation. In addition to their own knowledge, they have access to our subject-matter experts and cadre of experienced Bridges educators.

Your Math Learning Center regional team is here to help.

Select a state to see your regional contact staff.

Preview Bridges Third Edition

Ready to experience the impact of our programs firsthand? Request a preview today and we will get back to you with instructions on next steps.

Request a Preview Account

The Buzz About Bridges

Bridges met the needs of both my high and low students. The kids were challenged and really enjoyed math -- even those who started the year hating math. And, my students did well on the state math assessment.

Grade 4/5 teacher — Durham, NC

For the first time in my 11 years of teaching I feel my class truly has a good grasp of fractions. Great job getting my kids there!

Grade 5 teacher — Evansville, WY

It seems everyday one of our teachers stops me in the hall to share what great things are happening in math.

Math coach — Sandy, UT

Parents in our district have been totally supportive of this program. They have commented on the differences they have observed between older children, who had a traditional program, and their younger ones who have had Bridges. 
The teachers who live in our district, including two math teachers, have been emphatic about their desire to see us continue to use the Bridges program and to expand it to the higher grades. 


Principal — Milton, WI

In all of my years as a teacher, I have never seen the caliber of student responses that I got from last Friday's assessment. I can look at the results and know my students really do understand multiplication.

Grade 3 teacher — Ft. Bridger, WY

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