If your child is struggling with math, needs extra review, or should probably firm up thei knowledge of foundational math, tutors can be expensive. That’s why Bridge the Gap Math exists. To help you become your child’s math tutor and help them excel at their areas of weakness so they can move ahead in their learning with confidence.
What is Bridge the Gap Math?
Created by Laurie Beesting, a long time math teacher and tutor, Bridge the Gap Math is intended to help you be your own tutor at home with a single book. It covers most intermediate levels of math with the intention of filling in the gaps that can happen along the way. It’s not intended to be a full curriculum, but a touching point to review and strengthen core math concepts.
It’s broken up into 4 units: Numbers, Fractions, Geometry, and Times Tables. Each lesson is a single page long. The front page is the lesson/review with a few question examples Then, the back has a “test” of questions to make sure your child has grasped the concept (along with the answers.) The only exception to this is the last unit about multiplication which focuses on tips to make memorization and understanding of the times tables easier. At the back of the book is a final chapter – a series of Flash Facts to help review everything you’ve learned within the pages.
The whole programs focuses on giving students ownership over their own knowledge by getting them to check off when they know skills and CAN do them.
Who is Bridge the Gap Math for?
Although the book covers math skills for grades 4 to 7, it’s a great review program for any student in any of those grades and beyond who want to “fill-in-the-holes” in their understanding of math – even high school students. It’s especially helpful just before you hit the Pre-Algebra level and need to make sure that the foundations are all strong before launching into more complex skills.
Our Experience with Bridge the Gap Math
One of my teens had been finding math getting more and more challenging and frustrating as we worked out way into high school math. He started hating math and resisting lessons because he didn’t understand what he was doing. So I decided to take a step back, stop the math program we were using, and ordered a copy of Laurie’s book.
I worried that maybe some of the early years when we’d flip-flopped through different programs that maybe he’d missed something. He agreed that it was worth taking a break and making sure that he understood the basics – although he thought he did.
The book obviously backtracked quite a bit, starting way too easily, but I decided we’d start at the beginning and see if we got stuck anywhere.
We did about a lesson a day. First, we’d read the explanation together and do the questions at the bottom of the page. If he got stuck or didn’t understand, we’d review again together until he could do it alone.
Then I’d flip over the page to the back and cover the answers with a folded paper. He had to answer the questions and I’d reveal the answer if he got them correct. If not, he had to figure out what he’d done wrong and try again. We did it all verbally instead of on paper, because he worked better that way, but it would be easy to use loose leaf or a small notebook for the questions if that’s what your child prefers.
I even learned something in this program. I always knew of long division, but I had no idea there was actually a short division. This just about blew my mind. I never learned that in school! It was a handy little trick to learn!
In the end, although he *did* actually know almost all the concepts in this program, the confidence my son gained in the process was priceless. When we did start math again, he was much better prepared to tackle some of the things he thought were too hard and complicated before.
Where to Get Bridge the Gap Math
The Canadian/US print version of Bridge the Gap Math is available directly on their website: https://www.bridgethegapmath.ca/.
Learn More From Laurie Beesting
We’ve had the honour of having Laurie join us at the Canadian Online Homeschool Conference for several years, teaching some fantastic tips and resources about teaching math to our kids. In every session she does, you absolutely can feel and hear her passion about mathematics and helping kids understand what they are learning.
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I came across your article on bridging the gap in math education, and it’s a valuable resource. Your tips and strategies for addressing math challenges are practical and insightful. It’s reassuring to know that there are effective ways to support our children’s math learning at home. Thank you for sharing these helpful resources and empowering parents in their homeschooling journey. Great read!