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 A recent article in the New York Times says that US test scores are in a “generation-long decline.” This is not just a loss from the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020, as was previously assumed, but a decline that began five years earlier. New research from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford shows that across the US, 70% of school districts show math scores down over the past 10 years.  A report from the Education Scorecard describes this finding as a “learning recession.” It points to several factors that occurred around the same time, which they think contribute to the drop-off in math skills: the end of No Child Left Behind policies; the increase in smartphones, social media, and school laptops; and student absenteeism.
Brick Math can be part of your school’s program to bring test scores up. Here’s how:
 Try Brick Math today with your students. Sign up for the free Brick Math Lesson of the Month to receive a new lesson, and check the Brick Math website for instructional videos, more sample lessons, and much more.
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 Anyone who has ever taught students division knows how difficult it can be for some students to understand how to divide larger numbers. For May 2026, the Brick Math Free Lesson of the Month will help students learn how to divide longer numbers by modeling the math with bricks. Try it today by clicking here. You'll also get a new free Brick Math lesson every month after that.
 Since the first problem here is 222/2, students model the number 222 using two 1x3 bricks to show two hundreds, then two 1x2 bricks to show 2 tens, and two 1x1 bricks to show 2 ones. To divide the bricks by two, students break apart the model into two separate groups, each having one 1x3, one 1x2, and one 1x1 brick, modeling 111. The second problem uses the same methodology to divide a 4-digit number, and it also includes the result having a remainder. Modeling with bricks makes the whole idea of dividing larger numbers concrete rather than abstract, which is really helpful for students who struggle with the concept.  The Brick Math curriculum is divided into 13 separate content areas: Counting, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Basic Fractions, Basic Measurement, Fraction Multiplication, Fraction Division, Advanced Measurement and Geometry, Decimals, Data and Statistics, and Pre-Algebra.
Students can start anywhere in the curriculum. Brick Math can be used as a complete math curriculum or brought in as a supplement to help students who aren't having math success with other programs. Check BrickMath.com to learn more! |
