Math Circle

Information and Registration

As part of its community outreach, Gentle Knowledge is offering weekly math enrichment for students in grades 5 through 8. These weekly one hour sessions are based on the same principles as Eastern European math circles, where collaborative learning around a set of interesting extracurricular problems and ideas replaces lectures. Each session involves a set of “non-standard” problems from an area of mathematics, like number theory and combinatorics, that does not usually appear in the standard school curriculum. The goal of the math circle is to introduce students to the beauty of real mathematics (as opposed to “school mathematics”) while both exposing them to useful problem solving methods and inspiring them to further pursue mathematical studies. Occasionally, sessions may feature guest speakers who are practicing mathematicians.

The math circle enriches but does not replace the regular mathematics curriculum. Parents who want instruction that includes elements of the math circles approach but that also covers the standard curriculum should consider our local or online classes.

Cost

The math circle is free. We want to share our contagious love of mathematics with as many students as possible, including those from low-income families. If you would like to help us, you can make a donation to support this and other community outreach efforts.

Late Enrollment

Students are welcome to join the math circle at any point. Our sessions are mostly self-contained, although some problems and topics will span two or three sessions. Please register before attending.

Schedule

The math circle meets on Sundays between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. The following is the schedule for the full academic year.

October 16, 23, 30November 6, 13, 20, 27
December 4, 11, 18, January 8January 15, 22, 29, February 5
February 12, 19, 26, March 4March 11, 18, 25, April 1
April 22, 29, May 6, 13May 20, June 3, 10, 17

Location

Math circle sessions are held at Center Makor which is in the school building of Temple Bnai Moshe, located at 1845 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135. The entrance is at ground level, to the right of the steps leading to the main entrance. The nearest T station is Chiswick on the B branch of the Green Line. Also nearby are the Cleveland Circle (C branch of the Green Line) and Reservoir (D branch of the Green Line) T stations. Limited free parking is available in the small parking lot that is to the left of the main steps or on Commonwealth Ave.