Student Math Circles: Building collaborative places of mathematical inquiry across grades

Authors

  • Chris Bolognese Columbus Academy
  • Sonam Shahani Columbus Academy

Abstract

In this article, the authors provide an alternative to traditional math clubs through the formation and facilitation of a student math circle (SMC).  Student math circles are a community of students across different grades who engage in open-ended low floor, high ceiling tasks.  The authors provide history and motivation for SMCs as well as a few sample problems that have been used.  Additionally, benefits of an SMC model are provided.

Author Biographies

Chris Bolognese, Columbus Academy

Chris is the PK - 12 mathematics department chair at Columbus Academy.

Sonam Shahani, Columbus Academy

Sonam teaches sixth grade language arts teacher and coaches the middle school math club.

References

American Institute of Mathematics (2017). Math Teachers’ Circle Network.

http://www.mathteacherscircle.org/. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

Boaler, J. (2016). YouCubed. Tasks by grade: Low floor high ceiling.

https://www.youcubed.org/grade/low-floor-high-ceiling/. Retrieved 2 March 2017.

Britton, J. (2016). The Frog Puzzle. http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/frog_puzzle.htm/. Retrieved 2

March 2017.

Brown, S. I., & Walter, M. I. (2005). The art of problem posing. Psychology Press.

French, D. C., Waas, G. A., Straight, A. L., & Baker, J. A. (1986). Leadership asymmetries in mixed-age children's groups. Child Development, 57(5), 1277-1283.

Isaacs, Steven. "The Difference between Gamification and Game-Based Learning." Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. N.p., 15 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.

Polya, G. (1957). How to Solve it: A New Aspects of Mathematical Methods. Prentice University Press.

Pratt, D. (1983). Age segregation in schools. Paper presented at Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Saul, Mark (2006). "What is a Math Circle". National Association of Math Circles Wiki. Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

Silver, E. A. (1994). On mathematical problem posing. For the learning of mathematics, 14(1), 19-28.

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Published

2017-05-08

How to Cite

Bolognese, C., & Shahani, S. (2017). Student Math Circles: Building collaborative places of mathematical inquiry across grades. hio ournal of chool athematics, 75(1). etrieved from http://voyager.janeway.systems:9999/index.php/OJSM/article/view/5753

Issue

Section

Articles