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Someone recently posted a link to a free ebook called Math from Three to Seven by Alexander Zvonkin (see here: http://www.msri.org/people/staff/levy/files/MCL/Zvonkin.pdf)I'm enjoying this book so much. Zvonkin started a math circle for his children and their friends as an experiment and then recorded his session in a journal. The book is a charming chronicle of how children learn logic and math in general.

 

Anyway, this was also my first introduction to math circles. I read an old thread here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/586764-starting-a-math-circle/ . Anybody else have any experiences with math circles? I'm contemplating starting one with my 6yo, 4yo and a neighbouring 6yo and 4yo.

 

I was also thinking that maybe my two 14yos would appreciate an adapted math circle time kind-of like a poetry tea. Dd14 in particular has a lot of trouble with math so I wonder if I could help inspire her a little by an age appropriate math play time. Ds14 is good at math but generally treats as a means to an end (physics) rather than something to enjoy on its own.

 

So basically, I want to here all your experiences that you didn't already share in the thread that I linked to above. Also, what are your current favorite resources?

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That is the book I used to start my math circle when my DD was 4. I followed a lot of activities from this book. The benefit of having a math circle is kids developed a love for math since they were young. Even for kids who do not really understand all the math concepts, just being there and listening(kids are encouraged to join, but it is up to them if they are going to participate).

 

For all the kids who joined the math circle, turns out my dd is the one has the most math sense. Now she is 8, and she usually requests math circle one or twice a week. And we have moved onto Beast Academy. But I still keep the book. Maybe one day, I will do math circles for my grandchildren.

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A few lessons from my math circle:

- the activities have to be hands on: we used cubes, strings, paper, paper boxes to help to understand concepts.

 

- some concepts might sound advanced for us, but inituitive for kids, such as, we played a few games to explain what is torrent and the universe is a torrent shape. Once kids are a bit older, the bent of light comes earsy to understand. We also showed kids concept of mod: 10mod3=1, at the same time they start develop number sense. This is so simple and I learned it in my university!

 

- give differnt maturity level kids different challenges.

 

- if younger kids may not seem interested, just being there is helpful for them.

 

- kids have the freedom to participate or not participate the circle. If they feel it is fun, they will!

 

- math and other part of science are entwined, so be prepared to expend your math circle into an STEM circle. We started that 3 yrs ago. Find other moms/dads who might be interested is the key.

 

Good luck!

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I also did a math circle after reading the book. It was great, we read a story with tangrams and did some other activities that escape me, something with building blocks... We aimed for an early elementary age but I set up math activity stations for older siblings.

 

I have been wanting to get a more regular one going but haven't managed it yet. Next year.

 

I loved the zvonkin book too!

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