KINDERGARTEN: learning through play
Many children think of math as boring and dry, and they start developing math anxiety as early as first grade. We want to capture children’s interest now while they do not have any preconceptions about the subject. Learning through play captivates children’s attention like nothing else. Children can forget what they learn through mindless drilling exercises, but the concepts they learn through games stay with them for life.
NUMBER SENSE
Understanding what numbers and operations mean is the foundation for learning increasingly complex mathematics. We teach students how to count forwards and backwards, skip count and do simple arithmetic. By introducing variables right from the start, we make sure that students develop algebraic thinking. We use fun math games to make counting fun, and applicable in real life.
SPATIAL REASONING
Our large collection of construction sets and mosaics help students develop fine motor skills and spatial reasoning. While students are building models, and making beautiful designs, they are also developing 3D reasoning and creative thinking. Those skills are invaluable for later classes in geometry, and many standardized tests.
INTRODUCTION TO GEOMETRY
Many students find themselves struggling with advanced geometry classes in high school and college. It’s important to prepare children for these classes, by early introduction to geometry. Our geometric games help students by building their knowledge of shapes and their properties.
CRITICAL THINKING
Math is not just about counting! Children love to solve our fun logic problems, which trains their creative and lateral thinking. Our small classes allow teachers to facilitate discussions, and students brainstorm the solution together as a group.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mental math is crucial for problem solving. When students have strong mental math skills, they can quickly test several approaches to a problem, and determine which path leads to a viable solution. Ability to calculate quickly also allows students to estimate their results. A good estimate offers a comparison point by which to judge whether a result is reasonable for the given situation. Estimation is an important skill for inclusion in students’ tool kits, whether they perform calculations with a pencil and paper or on a calculator. Unfortunately students are often taught to memorize procedures, while gaining little insight into why these procedures work. If students forget a step in the algorithm, they can no longer work out a problem. Instead of memorizing algorithms, we focus on the underlying principles. If students understand the material, and practice it with concrete examples, they are more likely to retain the skills. WORD PROBLEMS Instead of focusing on procedures or keywords, we ask children to think about the meaning behind each problem. Visualizing word problems is key to solving new and unfamiliar problems. Drawing a bar model or making a table makes complex problems easy to solve. Throughout the curriculum, we introduce students to a variety of world problems such as rate, motion, fractions, ratio, percentage, etc. By the time students graduate from our program, they are used to seeing new and unfamiliar problems, and are ready to use the tools they have learned to find a solution. PRE-ALGEBRA The studio’s program introduces algebraic concepts as early as kindergarten. Students learn to work with variables, and solve equations and inequalities throughout elementary school. SPATIAL REASONING Spatial ability is also important for success in many fields of study. Mathematics, engineering, natural sciences and architecture all require the use of spatial skills. For instance, an architect has to visualize the building in three dimensions. An engineer pictures the interactions of the parts of a machine. Dentists are able to interpret the image on an X-ray and visualize cavities inside teeth. Students can improve their spatial skills by practicing. Our program includes dozens of geometric games, mindbenders, puzzles and construction sets. These manipulatives require students to mentally flip and rotate objects. Students learn to imagine objects from different perspectives. LOGIC PROBLEMS The studio’s program includes logic units in all grades. We emphasize creative solutions, and thinking “outside the box”. Students become experts at approaching new and difficult problems. Often they brainstorm the solution together as a group, and learn to work as a team. Lateral thinking is a crucial skill for success in any job. That is why many standardized tests include logic sections, and applicants are asked to solve riddles during job interviews. Whether you are taking an LSAT, or applying for a job at a top consulting firm, thinking creatively is a vital skill. Our program helped hundreds of students to achieve measurable results. For more than a decade, our students have consistently posted top scores in international math competitions, on standardized tests and gained admission to the top colleges. GEOMETRY The key to a successful geometry course is to start early, and use a spiraling curriculum. Our students study the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, building a solid foundation for more advanced classes. Students develop an understanding of the commonly used formulas for perimeter, area and volume. Students learn to do simple proofs, so that they are ready to face the formal proofs and deductive logic later in high school. Throughout the course, our students get plenty of practice drawing shapes, and using tools like rulers, compasses, and protractors. Mental math is crucial for problem solving. When students have strong mental math skills, they can quickly test several approaches to a problem, and determine which path leads to a viable solution. Ability to calculate quickly also allows students to estimate their results. A good estimate offers a comparison point by which to judge whether a result is reasonable for the given situation. Estimation is an important skill for inclusion in students’ tool kits, whether they perform calculations with a pencil and paper or on a calculator. Unfortunately students are often taught to memorize procedures, while gaining little insight into why these procedures work. If students forget a step in the algorithm, they can no longer work out a problem. Instead of memorizing algorithms, we focus on the underlying principles, which helps students to retain their math skills. LOGIC PROBLEMS The studio’s program includes logic units in all grades. We emphasize creative solutions, and thinking “outside the box”. Students become experts at approaching new and difficult problems. Often they brainstorm the solution together as a group, and learn to work as a team. Lateral thinking is a crucial skill for success in any job. That is why many standardized tests include logic sections, and applicants are asked to solve riddles during job interviews. Whether you are taking an LSAT, or applying for a job at a top consulting firm, thinking creatively is a vital skill. Our program helped hundreds of students to achieve measurable results. For more than a decade, our students have consistently posted top scores in international math competitions, on standardized tests and gained admission to the top colleges. GEOMETRY and ENGINEERING The key to a successful geometry course is to start early, and use a spiraling curriculum. Our students study the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, building a solid foundation for more advanced classes. Students develop an understanding of the commonly used formulas for perimeter, area and volume. The middle school curriculum introduces students to simple proofs, so that they are ready to face the formal proofs and deductive logic later in high school. Throughout the course, our students get plenty of practice drawing shapes, and using tools like rulers, compasses, and protractors. Our geometry curriculum also includes elements of engineering. Students learn to mentally flip and rotate objects, and visualize 3D shapes from different perspectives. This is an invaluable skill for stereometry. WORD PROBLEMS Instead of focusing on procedures or keywords, we ask children to think about the meaning behind each problem. Visualizing word problems is another key to solving new and unfamiliar problems. Drawing a bar model or making a table makes complex problems easy to solve. Throughout the curriculum, we introduce students to a variety of world problems such as rate, motion, fractions, ratio, percentage, etc. By the time students graduate from our program, they are used to seeing new and unfamiliar problems, and are ready to use the tools they have learned to find a solution. ALGEBRA The studio’s program for 7th and 8th grades cover the standard Algebra I curriculum. This includes topics such as factoring, linear equations, quadratic equations, inequalities, exponents and radicals, algebraic fractions, and graphs.
A strong number sense is an invaluable skill. Scientists and engineers use mental math on a daily basis to estimate their results. Nurses have to check their conversion results (mass, volume, time, IV flow rate) in order to calculate dosages. Architects calculate structural safety parameters for buildings. Most people find basic math skills necessary every day, whether they are leaving tips at a restaurant or getting a mortgage from a bank.
Solving word problems is the most important and applicable skill students learn in school. Whether you need to leave a tip for a waiter, calculate if you have enough money to buy groceries, or estimate the gas mileage of your car, you need to know how to solve word problems.
A solid base in algebra is an entry way to a successful career, whether you are going to be an engineer, a carpenter or a medical professional. The use of variables to denote quantities allows us to concisely express patterns and relationships. It is not surprising that most standardized tests include algebra sections.
We use visual-spatial skills in everyday life. Whether you are using a map, looking at a floor plan or imagining a new couch in your living room, you are solving a spatial reasoning problem.
Logic problems bring life to a math class. Even students who dislike math always ask for another logic problem. This is because finding creative solutions is an intrinsically satisfying experience.
Geometry is the most visual part of the mathematics curriculum, and yet many students struggle in high school when they encounter formal proofs.MIDDLE SCHOOL
College entrance exams routinely include a no-calculator section, and a strong number sense is an invaluable skill. Scientists and engineers use mental math on a daily basis to estimate their results. Nurses have to check their conversion results in order to calculate dosages. Architects calculate structural safety parameters for buildings. Most people find basic math skills necessary every day, whether they are leaving tips at a restaurant or getting a mortgage from a bank.
Logic problems bring life to a math class. Even students who dislike math always ask for another logic problem. This is because finding creative solutions is an intrinsically satisfying experience.
Geometry is the most visual part of school math, and yet many students struggle in high school when they encounter formal proofs.
Solving word problems is the most important and applicable skill students learn in school. Whether you need to leave a tip for a waiter, calculate if you have enough money to buy groceries, or estimate the gas mileage of your car, you need to know how to solve word problems.
A solid base in algebra is an entry way to a successful career, whether you are going to be an engineer, a carpenter or a medical professional. The use of variables to denote quantities allows us to concisely express patterns and relationships. It is not surprising that most standardized tests include algebra sections.
