Program Walkthrough

Bridges is a powerful print and digital solution that develops academic language and literacy skills through authentic texts and content-driven lessons to help English learners and striving readers achieve grade-level proficiency. Watch the walkthrough video or scroll down to dive into a unit!

Introduction to the Theme

Unit Opener

A Big Idea introduces the unit’s central concept.
What You Bring and From Your Perspective activities address students’ self-awareness and activate their prior knowledge.
My Goals introduce learning outcomes.

Bridges to the Theme Video

A Bridges to the Theme video introduces students to unit theme and provides context.

Vocabulary and Reading Skills

Before Reading

An introduction to the reading activates prior knowledge and builds background.
Key words from the reading are introduced and practiced.
Vocabulary tutorials provide practice and reinforcement
A reading strategy supports reading comprehension.
Key academic vocabulary words help students comprehend and discuss text across different subject areas.

Video Virtual Chats

Video Virtual Chats encourage students to develop listening and speaking skills.

Reading

Students read literary and informational texts.
The text genre is introduced, followed by a preview of the reading selection.
Systematic Check In questions provide ongoing evaluation.
Students follow along with an audio recording of the text.
The recording provides a model for pronunciation and fluency.

After You Read

Apply the Reading Strategy section supports reading comprehension.
Book Club Discussion encourages students to express their own ideas about the text.
Academic Vocabulary and Discussion Starters provide additional supports.

Book Club Video

A Book Club video provides a model of students engaged in an academic discussion based on the reading selection.

Grammar Practice

Bridges to Oral Language

Each unit provides opportunities for the development of listening and presentation skills.
A listening passage connects the theme to students’ identities and experiences.
The listening passages are available online.

Bridges to Grammar

Each unit presents two grammar points and provides explicit grammar, usage, and writing instruction.
Activities include pair and group work and independent writing practice.
Animated grammar tutorials engage students by pairing grammar rules with fun explanations to encourage communication.

Academic Content Connections

The four main content sections—Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics—focus on building academic literacy.

A variety of text genres help develop reading skills

Bridges to Language Arts

A variety of text genres help develop reading skills.
Students learn and apply new tools and practice their writing skills.
Students are introduced to various careers as they learn about people who work in the different fields of study.

Bridges to Science

A variety of text genres help develop reading skills.
Students learn and apply new tools and practice their writing skills.
Students are introduced to various careers as they learn about people who work in the different fields of study.

Bridges to Social Studies

Social studies content and skills align with the National Council for the Studies Ten Themes.
Engaging texts support academic language development.
Activities practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Bridges to Mathematics

Math content and skills align with grade-level standards.
Engaging texts support academic language development.
Activities practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Bridges to Other Content Areas

Students learn about elective and career topics in different units, such as technology, world languages, physical education, drama, art, music, and personal finance.
Recordings of all readings are available online.

Culminating Activities

Bridges to Writing

A student model introduces students to a variety of writing styles.
Process writing steps guide students to complete and present writing assignments.

Bridges to Media

Students watch an authentic short film and learn to view media through a critical lens.
Students respond to and evaluate media by activating their prior knowledge and predicting.

Bridges to Media Video

Students interact by responding to comprehension and discussion questions about engaging, authentic videos, such as The Candle, a documentary film about art and identity.

Teacher's Guide

The interactive learning opportunities, scaffolding, and support in Bridges allow teachers to successfully address the unique academic challenges faced by striving readers and culturally and linguistically diverse learners.

Scope and Sequence
Pacing guides
Instructional routines
Socio Emotional Learning opportunities
Differentiated Instruction and activities

Scripted models
Audio scripts
Answer keys
Formative assessments
Home-School Connections
Additional online resources