Bridges Math

I used to think that I couldn’t teach math. Now I think that I could teach some math (not proofs, ever). My thinking has changed because this curriculum is so well-laid out and presented it makes it easy to see what to do.

Jill, Bridges Math teacher

The students say their favorite subject is Math. They talk in mathematical terms; they are excited about math. They talk about dividing fractions and “using the reciprocal.” Their [ENL/ELA class] teacher said “I don’t remember that, show it to me.” And they went and were showing models on the board. And these students didn’t have the Math [initially]! It has been amazing – a light where math has always been darkness, where [in the past] kids would show up crying, cut class, and end up failing. Completely different [now] and I just want to say thank you.

Judy, District ENL Director

Spanish HLA

I had a [SIFE] student [with whom] I was using my own material, and I was so concerned this year because even though I did a lot of work with him, in the beginning of the year he still was not reading. Sometimes he even failed to identify letters, so when we started Bridges, there were some activities with identifying syllables and organizing sentences. Then, he started reading and loves coming to school because even his peers go like, “wow, you are reading.” Now, he is so proud of himself…I am very proud of that and very happy…just the other day I almost cried when I saw that child who wasn’t even reading and now he is volunteering to read paragraphs in front of his peers. That is huge.

Bridges Spanish HLATeacher

Coaching

Having an instructional coach helped me ensure I was “doing this right.” It built my confidence using the Bridges program as a first-time user beyond attending the remote learning PD sessions. Having a coach helped me build a relationship with someone in the ENL field who knows what I’m dealing with in the classroom and can give authentic feedback specifically for ENL students. I loved how easy it was for her to Zoom into my classroom and watch me teach; I never felt judged or worried about what she was seeing. As our collegial relationship progressed throughout the months, I really appreciated having another colleague to bounce ideas off  and receiving feedback about what I was doing. The coaching session was time consuming but beyond helpful!”

Bridges teacher

Professional Learning

I am going to use the curriculum and reformat my entire approach to how I teach entering students. I can tailor the instruction to meet varied levels. I am super excited and I have been teaching 22 years!

Curriculum PL participant

I am grateful that I had the time to learn with Bridges Team, particularly in the middle of a pandemic and challenging times for learning. For years I had the wrong idea that incorporating home language and culture would pull my students academic progress backward, where as I learned with your team that it is the opposite, when students are engaged, meaningful learning is possible in the classroom.

Co-teaching teams course participant

ENL/ELA

Thank you all so much. These resources are amazing and you are doing some of the most difficult and necessary work for our teachers and students. 

I’ve been teaching for 4 years and never have I ever come across a team of people so competent, dedicated, and helpful as you all. Where most people are scrambling and confused- you ladies are getting things done. You keep me motivated and inspired.

Kellie, Bridges ENL/ELA Teacher

ENL/ELA Professional Learning

I have learned so many APPLICABLE strategies…I like that essential reading, writing, and speaking skills can be taught in a sequence of three concise lessons. I am a new teacher, so the strategies within these categories are a work in progress for me and continuously being added to my toolkit (i.e., using picture clues for understanding/ comprehension).

Curriculum PL participant