MLC Bug

The Math Learning Center Blog

Our team offers insights and happenings in elementary math education and the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. 

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Introducing Bridges Breakout: Number Rack

The number rack helps build the bridge from counting to computational fluency by inviting students to think about numbers in groups of 2, 5, and 10. Its 2 rows of 5 red and 5 white movable beads allow students to see and slide beads in groups rather than 1 by 1. Just as we want students to move from sounding out words letter by letter to reading morphemes and whole words, we want students to move...
Shelly Scheafer

The Power of Perseverance: Encouraging Multiple Ways of Problem Solving at Lake Forest School District

Lake Forest School District in Illinois adopted Bridges in 2013. Teachers credit Bridges with helping them teach valuable life skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and positive student interaction. Additional significant changes include students’ increased risk taking and recognition that there is more than one answer and strategy to a problem. Bridges is designed to...

Engaging Young Learners: Providing the Tools to Success at DeSoto Parish School System

DeSoto Parish School System in Louisiana adopted Bridges in 2013. With Bridges, educators and district leaders alike have witnessed the transformation of classroom environments. Students are engaged, working together, checking one another’s work and truly understanding concepts. Bridges is engaging students in math and teaching them to become creative problem solvers. “Bridges creates that...

Confidence Is Key: Leander ISD Students Thrive with Bridges in Mathematics

The Leander Independent School District in Leander, Texas, adopted Bridges in Mathematics in 2014. With Bridges, Leander students’ confidence in math is growing as they learn multiple strategies for problem solving. Teachers have seen improvement in students’ mathematical thinking, communication, and academic confidence that carries into other subject matters. As one educator put it, “Most...

The Pattern Shapes App

The Pattern Shapes App is now available for download from The Math Learning Center. Here's a quick tutorial on how to use this new free math app. Jami is a media specialist for MLC.
Jami Smith

The Number Frames App

The Number Frames App is now available for download! Here's a quick overview of how the app works. Click here to download Number Frames. Jami Smith is a media specialist for MLC.
Jami Smith

MLC at NCTM New Orleans

We are excited to be attending the NCTM Annual Meeting in New Orleans this year! In addition to showcasing Bridges Second Edition and our growing collection of virtual manipulatives, we will be hosting five presentations on various topics. Tiers, not Tears, for Early Numeracy Support Pia Hansen and Laurie Kilts Thursday, 12:30 pm–1:30 pm Room 214 in the Convention Center Racks, Lines, and Pieces...
Jami Smith

The Number Line App

Watch a short video on how to download and use the Number Line App. Jami Smith is a media specialist for MLC.
Jami Smith

The Number Pieces App

Watch a short video on how to download and use the Number Pieces App. For examples of the Number Pieces App in the classroom, check out our pinterest board. Jami Smith is a graphic designer and social media manager for MLC.
Jami Smith

The Number Rack

The Number Rack facilitates the natural development of children’s number sense. Rows of moveable, colored beads encourage learners to think in groups of fives and tens, helping them to explore and discover a variety of addition and subtraction strategies. The Number Rack is featured extensively throughout Bridges in Mathematics in grades K–3. We’ve compiled a collection of resources to support the...
Jami Smith