The Math Learning Center Blog

Getting to know your students well The first step in building a strong classroom community is getting to know your students as individuals. When children feel known, understood, and cared about, they are better able to develop relationships with you and with their peers. Strong relationships and a sense of belonging reduce the potential for challenging behavior and contribute to a positive...

Here are some of the districts that have adopted Bridges Second Edition this month: Unalaska City School District , Unalaska, AK Bedford Public Schools , Bedford, MA DeSoto Parish School System , Mansfield, LA Fowlerville Community Schools , Fowlerville, MI White Pass School District , Randle, WA Wai’alae Elementary Public Charter School, Honolulu, HI Jami Smith is a graphic designer and social...

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics prompt teachers to significantly change both what they teach and how they teach it. In a series of posts, we’ll address the three characteristics of the new content standards likely to have the biggest impact on the way you teach math—tighter focus, greater coherence, and increased rigor. Finally, we’ll cover the other area of significant change, and...

"We must convey, from the very first day, the important message that we will tackle challenging material and do high-quality work in our classroom. But we must also convey that we will tackle this material and do this high-quality work in an atmosphere of support and collaboration." – Denton & Kriete, 2000 The key characteristics of a strong classroom community are: Respect among students and...

"Assessment should be more than merely a test at the end of instruction to see how students perform under special conditions; rather it should be an integral part of instruction that informs and guides teachers as they make instructional decisions." – NCTM Although the role of assessment has become a complex and sometimes charged topic, the daily reality of assessment in the classroom remains both...

Weld County School District RE-4 in Windsor, Colorado has adopted Bridges Second Edition. Range View Elementary principal Dan Seegmiller has been a big fan of Bridges since his school adopted the first edition in 2010. The success of students at Range View prompted the district to consider Bridges Second Edition when it came time to chose a new elementary math curriculum. Rick Ludeman is president...

Are you planning additional coursework to further your expertise in elementary math education? If so, then you should consider applying for the Elementary Math Specialist scholarship sponsored by MLC. Now in it's second year, this collaboration with the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators offers three $1,000 scholarships enabling recipients to enhance their mathematics knowledge, teaching...

MLC will showcase Bridges Second Edition as well as our growing collection of math apps at NCTM in Denver April 18-20. In addition to exhibiting, we’ll be delivering two product workshop sessions featuring key members of the Bridges development team. We invite you to stop by our booth and hope you will also attend one or more of the presentations by MLC authors, leaders, and staff. Introducing...

Berrien Springs Public Schools (“Home of the Shamrocks”) in Berrien Springs, Michigan has adopted Bridges Second Edition. A long-time Bridges First Edition site, curriculum team members said they are “true believers” in the program. Photo courtesy of Berrien Springs Public Schools. Rick Ludeman is president of MLC.

Last year I spoke with Shepherd Elementary principal John Farley who was looking for some new math materials. After our conversation he and his staff decided to start with Number Corner and Pia Hansen, MLC director of professional development, led the workshops in August. She recalls, "They were a very motivated group, focused on addressing the standards with fidelity and meeting their students'...