The Kindergarten and Grade 5 Teachers piloted a new Math Curriculum, Bridges Math, during the 2023-2024 academic year. The teachers piloting the curriculum found that it is a more comprehensive curriculum that focuses on developing a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. Following the success of this pilot in two grades levels, ASV will adopt and implement this math curriculum in Kindergarten and Grades 3-5 for the 2024-2025 academic year, with a complete expansion to K-5 planned for the 2025-2026 academic year.
In order to prepare Kindergarten and Grades 3-5 teachers, on June 17-18, ASV hosted a two-day workshop that focused on the tenets of the Bridges Math Curriculum. This workshop was facilitated by the K-5 Math Coach, Mr. Tracy Arensberg, from the American School of Barcelona, and consisted of not only understanding the philosophy behind the engaging curriculum, but also on teachers doing math, participating in labsites, and understanding the assessment practices.
One of the teachers who piloted the Bridges Math Curriculum this academic year, Ms. Rosemarie Lima, said: “This curriculum has allowed students to gain a deeper conceptual understanding of the different math domains and provides more hands-on activities to improve their overall math fluency”.
A teacher new to the Bridges Math Curriculum, Ms. Eleanor Riaye, said, “it was a great experience to explore this new curriculum. I think that the children will benefit from having more authentic real-world scenarios that they can later connect and transfer their knowledge to in order to demonstrate a solid understanding of the purpose.”
