Manipulative Resource Links from Bridges
(Manipulatives used in the classroom for teaching various
concepts in Bridges.)
(These links are also available as an app for IPads and Chrome. Just go to the
Bridges Website and go to “Free Apps” at the top of the page)
1. Number Line
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/number-line/
Number Line helps students visualize number sequences and demonstrate strategies for counting,
comparing, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Choose number lines labeled with whole numbers,
fractions, decimals, or negative numbers. Or use a blank number line, with or without tick marks.
Describe intervals between points on the line using forward or backward jumps above and below the line.
Jumps can also be labeled with their values or left blank. Add custom tick marks to the number line to show
equivalence or compare number values. Show strategies with drawing and annotation tools.
2. Fractions
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/fractions/
Fractions lets students use a bar or circle to represent, compare, and perform operations with fractions with
denominators from 1 to 100. Choose the fraction model and number of equal parts. Use a color to select
specific parts to show a fraction of the whole. Reveal or hide numeric labels as needed. Superimpose
fractions upon each other to compare fractions or see equal parts.
Fraction models are a key component of Bridges in Mathematics, second edition
3. Money Pieces
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/money-pieces/
Money Pieces help students visualize and understand money values and relationships. Two versions of coins
and bills are provided: virtual currency pieces that replicate the appearance and relative size of U.S. coins and
the dollar bill, and area money pieces.
Area money pieces represent the values of coins and the dollar bill using an area model in which 1 square
unit is equal to a penny. Nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars are represented by collections of squares
equal to their value. In this way, the area pieces can be used to model and compute with fractions and
decimals.
4. Geoboard
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/geoboard/
The Geoboard is a tool for exploring a variety of mathematical topics introduced in the elementary and
middle grades. Learners stretch bands around pegs to form line segments and polygons and make
discoveries about perimeter, area, angles, congruence, fractions, and more.
The Geoboard is a key component of Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
5. Number Frames
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/number-frames/
Number Frames help students structure numbers to five, ten, twenty, and one hundred. Students use the
frames to count, represent, compare, and compute with numbers in a particular range.
The frames help students see quantities as equal groups of other quantities and in relation to benchmark
quantities. This helps primary students move away from one-by-one counting toward more efficient ways of
counting and computing. As students advance, custom frames can be constructed to help visualize factors,
products, fractional parts and more.
Number frames are a key model used in Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
6. Number Rack
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/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.
For more resources including how to build your own student Number Racks for classroom use click here.
The Number Rack is a key component of Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
7. Pattern Shapes
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/pattern-shapes/
Students use Pattern Shapes to explore geometry and fractions, creating their own designs, or filling in
outlines. As they work with the shapes students explore geometric relationships, think about angles,
investigate symmetry, and compose and decompose larger shapes. Many of these explorations lead
naturally to thinking about fractions as parts of a whole.
Pattern blocks are a key model used in Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
8. Number Pieces
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/number-pieces/
Number pieces help students develop a deeper understanding of place value while building their
computation skills with multi-digit numbers. Students use the pieces to represent multi-digit numbers,
regroup, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Two versions of the app are available depending on the grade level and concepts to be explored.
With Number Pieces students can represent larger numbers and multiplication and division
concepts. Number Pieces Basic is a simplified version for use with primary students. It has fewer features,
putting greater focus on place value, counting, addition, and subtraction.
Number pieces are a key component of Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
9. Number Pieces Basic
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/number-pieces/
Number pieces help students develop a deeper understanding of place value while building their
computation skills with multi-digit numbers. Students use the pieces to represent multi-digit numbers,
regroup, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Two versions of the app are available depending on the grade level and concepts to be explored.
With Number Pieces students can represent larger numbers and multiplication and division
concepts. Number Pieces Basic is a simplified version for use with primary students. It has fewer features,
putting greater focus on place value, counting, addition, and subtraction.
These virtual versions of the manipulative are open-ended educational tools, ideal for elementary
classrooms and other learning environments that use iPads.
Number pieces are a key component of Bridges in Mathematics, second edition.
10.
Math Vocabulary Cards
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/math-vocabulary-cards/
Math Vocabulary Cards help students deepen their conceptual understanding of key terms in mathematics.
Each card features three sections: a math term, a representative example or model, and a concise
definition. Each section can be hidden or revealed providing multiple options for practice. Vocabulary cards
can be selected individually or by category and switched seamlessly between English and Spanish.
These key mathematical terms and visual models are featured throughout Bridges in Mathematics, second
edition.