In Williamsville, our approach to mathematics instruction has long been grounded in allowing children to actively explore and make sense of the world around them; it's not simply about the rote learning of discrete facts like how much 19 + 3 equals. These mathematical ideas emerge as children notice patterns, relationships, and develop strategies through repeated opportunities. Students in math class will often talk about math, describe observations, explain methods, and ask questions. They are encouraged to find multiple ways to solve problems and show different ways of thinking. This is a vital way to help students build more flexible and efficient ways to solve increasingly complex problems. Hands-on activities engage them in exploring, developing, testing, discussing, and applying mathematical concepts.

Thus, our curriculum focuses on developing a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve new and complex problems. The idea behind our instructional approach is not to just to do math, but also to understand how and why we do math. In order to assist in this exploration and discovery-based learning approach, we are utilizing Bridges in Mathematics as a resource that provides rigorous, coherent, and engaging learning activities using many familiar visual models to make mathematics accessible to all learners.