Our mission
The chief philosophy in which our program is grounded is that everyone should have the chance to find enthusiasm for math. Here is how this philosophy directly influences our mission:
We believe socioeconomic status should not be a deterrent to high quality education. We are always willing to work with a family that is unable to pay full price to find a rate they can afford. Please reach out to us at vermont.math.circle@gmail.com to discuss.
We believe grades in the typical math classroom are not always indicative of inherent mathematical ability. We are an enrichment program for enthusiastic students excelling in their elementary school math classes and we are also a program championing an alternative approach to math that may be more appropriate for some students currently facing difficulties in their math education. For us this poses no contradiction. The approach we use is new for most children and engages students of different mathematical backgrounds in a single class.
We believe diversity of experience leads to diversity of thought. We seek to integrate students of different cultural and religious backgrounds, races, socioeconomic statuses, mathematical maturity levels, learning styles, and identities within each class. Every student brings a different approach to the same discussion, and this is the key to developing new and creative ideas at every level of mathematics.
Teaching philosophy
Our classes focus on approaching problem-solving with creativity and visualization. We incorporate student-run discussions as well as group and individual problem solving, and use physical manipulatives and visualizations whenever possible. This encourages the development of higher-order thinking skills such as logic, problem-solving, making connections, finding patterns, and being able to tackle entirely new problems by breaking them into smaller, more familiar situations -- all skills that will benefit students throughout their lives, both in and out of the classroom. We also encourage viewing mistakes as an unavoidable and often necessary part of the learning process, and work to break free of the all too common fear of getting it wrong that can underlie lifelong math phobia and perfectionism.
At this time we are offering Math Circles for students in grades 2-6, with enthusiastic and socially mature students from grade 1 considered on a case-by-case basis. Our chess classes are open to kids in 2nd grade and up (with enthusiastic and socially mature students from grade 1 considered on a case-by-case basis). As we grow our presence in Vermont, we will expand to include more math offerings, math circles for high school students, chess instruction for more advanced players, and even occasional pop-ups for adult students!