NUMBER CORNER
Number Corner is one component to the Bridges Math Curriculum across grade levels. We spend 15-20 minutes participating in Number Corner activities each day. Number Corner is a separate mini-lesson which is different from the Bridges lesson that is taught for the day.
Number Corner focuses on many different aspects of math. Each month there are specific topics that are targeted and these skills are either introduced, reviewed, or mastered during this time. Typically, Number Corner introduces a skill (such as fractions) before it is being taught in the main Bridges lessons within the unit. This way when a new unit begins, the students have had exposure to the concepts and will have prior knowledge. This also allows for reviewing concepts taught during the main part of the Bridges Units. For example, if a student struggles with fractions, they will continue to be exposed to this topic in Number Corner throughout the year, allowing the student multiple opportunities for review and mastery.
Number Corner consists of Calendar Grid, Calendar Collector, Computational Fluency, Number Line and Problem Solving.
Calendar Grid
In Calendar Grid, calendar markers are all placed facing backwards at the beginning of the month. The markers follow a variety of patterns as month progresses. There is a different pattern each month. Every day, the marker for that day is flipped over, revealing the item. Students make and record observations for that day and predictions for the following day. For example, January's Calendar Grid focuses on Fractions.
Calendar Collector
In Calendar Collector, the class will "collect" something mathematical. Here is a list of what is collected each month.
- September-Data (for making graphs)
- October-Water (fol measuring liquid volume)
- November-Fractions (for displaying on a number line)
- December-Classroom objects (for measuring mass on a balance scale)
- January-Minutes (for measuring elapsed time with clocks)
- February-Fractions of dollars (to count money)
- March-Shapes (for measuring area and perimeter)
- April-Fractions of an hour (to measure time)
- May-Numbers rolled on dice (for multiplying)
Computational Fluency
In this portion of Number Corner, students will play games and engage in activities that will help them practice basic math facts so they become second-nature.
- September-Loops and Groups (multiplication facts)
- October-Frog Jump (Multiplication)
- November-Array Race (Multiplication)
- December-Multiplying 0, 1 and 2
- January-Multiplying 5 and 1o
- February-Multiplying 3, 4 and 8
- March-Multiplying 6 and 9
- April-Quick Facts and Games
- May- More Quick Facts and Games
Number Line
- September-Counting to 1,000 with a thousand grid
- October-Changing End Points (determining where numbers go on a number line that doesn't start at zero)
- November-Rounding to 10
- December-Rounding to 100
- January-Unit Fractions on the Number Line
- February-Comparing Fractions
- March-Find the Fraction
- April-Put It On the Line (determining where fractions go on a number line from 0-1)
- May-Put It On the Line with Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Problem Solving
- September-Adding 2- and 3-digit Numbers
- October-Subtracting 2- and 3-Digit Numbers
- November-One-Step Word Problems
- December-Multiplying with the Distributive Property
- January-Multi-Step Problems and Equations
- February-Data Problems
- March-Area and perimeter Problems
- April-Multiplication and Division Practice
- May-More Multiplication and Division Practice
*Adapted from Bridges in Mathematics, The Math Learning Center Salem, Oregon by Danielle Baumgart Chippewa Valley Schools, 2015