Brick Math Curriculum for Teachers

Teachers who are looking for a better way to teach K - 8th grade math have found Brick Math. With Brick Math, students learn the K-8 math curriculum by modeling the math with bricks. The 13 math subjects in the Brick Math curriculum include: ​
When students are taught with Brick Math, they develop a deep understanding of the concepts that are the foundation of true mathematical knowledge.
Brick Math is a modular program, so it works as a complete curriculum, or you can take any of the content areas to use for remediation, for intervention, or for gifted learners. 
Read FAQs to learn more about Brick Math.
Looking for a grant to fund Brick Math in your classroom? 
Brick Math makes learning math fun!

Instructional Videos

What Is a Number?
Lesson uses bricks to introduce the concept of numbers and values
                     from Counting and Cardinality
The Ten-Frame Game
Lesson introduces the ten-frame model to help students think about numbers in the context of sets of 10
                        from Counting and Cardinality
Finding Factors of 16 
Lesson shows how to model factors of a given number
      from Multiplication, Division, and Basic Fractions
Adding Fractions 
Lesson teaches how to subtract fractions with like denominators
                         from Basic Fractions
Multiplication Using Place Value/Bundling Models
​Lesson teaches multiplication by modeling place value with bricks
                                  from Multiplication
Division Basics 
Lesson introduces the concept of division
                                       from Division

Brick Math Program Components

Teacher and Student books are 8-1/2 x 11" paperbacks. Each of the 13 content areas has one Teacher Edition, which is the lesson guide for the teacher, and one Student Edition, which is a student workbook with assessments, tracking, baseplate grids to draw models, and more. To use Brick Math, you'll need one Teacher Edition and one Student Edition for every student you are teaching, plus one brick set for every one or two students.
What teachers using Brick Math are saying about the program:
"Brick Math is a versatile tool; it works well in a small group setting, one on one, and/or with partners."
Tonya Robbins, 3rd Grade Teacher​
"With Brick Math, students can 'see' the math."
Tammy de Hart, Lead Teacher 
"I have seen students gain confidence and knowledge in an area that was previously a struggle."
Amanda Barber, 3rd Grade Teacher

Research-Based

Brick Math is based on brain research and theories of Constructionism. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of teaching math using manipulatives to incorporate a hands-on style. Brick Math builds on this body of research by utilizing bricks as the manipulative, adding elements of creativity and enjoyment to learning foundational mathematics.

Easy to teach. Fun to learn.

Teachers don't require training to begin using Brick Math, but Professional Development is available if a school or district wants to bring on the curriculum with training. Click here to learn more about Professional Development. You can watch videos of Brick Math being taught here.
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​Use the lessons in the Teacher Edition for any math subject. Start by taking students through the Part 1: Show Them How section of each chapter. Build the brick models, show them to the students, and ask students questions as directed. Be sure to use the math vocabulary for each lesson.
Have students build the same models themselves so they are manipulating the bricks as you are guiding them. With a whole class, you might want to use a document camera to display your models as you build them. Then have students draw their models and answer the questions in their companion Student Editions.

​Once students have mastered the modeling processes from Part 1, move to the Part 2: Show What You Know section of the chapter. Ask students to complete each of the problems, first by modeling with bricks and then drawing their models in their companion Student Editions.  
​Move through the room, checking that students are building their models correctly and that they understand the concepts behind the models.

Tracking Progress and Assessing Learning

The Student Editions include an Assessment for every chapter, a chart to track each student's progress, and additional problems for practice and challenge. Answer Keys to all the chapter Assessments can be found here.

Brick Set

The Brick Math Brick Set is specially designed for the program. The 250 bricks are packaged in a sturdy divided storage box and the set includes two baseplates for building brick models. 
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In the Teacher Edition lesson guides, every chapter has a list of the specific bricks needed to teach the lessons in that chapter. All the Teacher and Student Editions include a total brick inventory that lists all 250 bricks needed for the entire Brick Math K-8 program. 

Classroom Management Tips

  • Before starting, have a conversation with the students about using bricks as a learning tool rather than a toy.
  • Teach students the language of bricks (baseplate, stud, 1x1, 1x2, etc.).
  • Assign brick sets to specific students by number and always give the same students the same sets. This helps keep students from taking home or misplacing bricks. If they know they will always have to work with the same brick set, they are more likely to be careful with their set.
  • Do not teach with bricks—or any manipulative—every day. Students also need to think through the math processes without a physical model.
  • To keep bricks clean, put them in a hosiery bag and wash on the top rack of the dishwasher. Let them air dry.
  • To keep bricks from sliding off desks, use foam shelf liner cut into rectangular sections or large meat trays (you can often get these free from a local supermarket).
  • Active learning breeds active learners! Students will be motivated and engaged in math when they are using bricks. It will not be quiet in the classroom, but it will be full of chatter about math!