To help students—especially English Learners—engage deeply with mathematics, this brief explores effective teaching strategies centered on the concept of equivalence. Developed through a summer bridge program for rising 9th graders transitioning to high school, these strategies support learning across the entire K–12 spectrum, including key areas like algebra, geometry, and statistics.

Created by the National Research and Development Center to Improve Education for Secondary English Learners at WestEd, this brief provides practical, research-supported activities to strengthen students’ understanding, reasoning, and language skills. By connecting math and language learning, educators can create dynamic classrooms in which students build confidence, connect mathematical ideas, and thrive.