1st Grade Mathematics

Using Bridges in Mathematics, 1st grade students start working toward developing multiple strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems; telling time to the hour and half-hour; understanding denominations of money and how to combine them; identifying 2- and 3-dimensional shapes; and identifying and creating patterns. Children create their own number story, illustrated with hidden-picture answers. Then, they work in small groups or pairs to solve each other's problems. Students also participate in a daily number corner routine, during which they gain an understanding of place values as they count the days of school by 1s, 10s, and 100s. A key development in 1st grade is for the students to explain their process and model solutions and strategies in order to strengthen their mathematical thinking.

One of the more significant multi-disciplinary projects in 1st grade math is the Farm Project. Students examine the critical central question: Why are farms important? This math unit integrates reading, writing, science, social studies, art, garden, and SEL. Students use “farm bucks” and “payment worksheets” to purchase various items—like a farmhouse, barn, silo, and animals—to create their own farm. They also learn about Land-Use Planning Codes and must follow the codes to know how much land they need for various animals and structures. They are learning about area and perimeter as they determine how many fences to buy for each parcel of land. As each farm animal is introduced, the students learn facts about the physical characteristics, what they are raised for, and what they eat. Additional lessons revolve around the jobs on a farm, different types of farms, ways people farm around the world, and the plants and beneficial insects that exist in gardens.