BMC Elementary FAQ
The Berkeley Math Circle Elementary is an exciting program for students who love math and want to be challenged. We strive to ignite passion for learning and expose students to advanced mathematical concepts in an engaging way.
Guided by experienced instructors, our students develop critical thinking skills and mathematical intuition that will serve them well in any future endeavor.
Absolutely! It often takes several years to become an experienced problem solver. We have an informal 30% rule: first-year students are typically expected to understand around 30% of what is covered in the session. This percentage will increase with time. Keep in mind that the material discussed in our sessions is advanced and non-traditional.
Parents can contribute to our community in several ways:
Your support helps us maintain our commitment to making mathematics education accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
There are many great books we can recommend, here are some of them:
Authors: Laura Givental, Maria Nemirovskaya, Ilya Zakharevich
Published by: American Mathematical Society
A comprehensive guide for math circle instructors and enthusiasts, featuring a logical sequence of problems and insights into mathematical thinking for elementary school students.
Purchase
Author: Alexander Zvonkin
Published by: American Mathematical Society
A captivating account of a professional mathematician's experiences conducting a math circle for preschoolers in his apartment in Moscow in the 1980s.
Purchase
Author: Natasha Rozhkovskaya
Published by: American Mathematical Society
The main part of this book describes the first semester of the existence of a successful and now highly popular program for elementary school students at the Berkeley Math Circle.
Purchase
Author: Anna Burago
Published by: American Mathematical Society
Complete Curriculum for Grades 5 to 7
A comprehensive guide for mathematical education and problem-solving for middle school students.
Purchase
Author: Anna Burago
Published by: American Mathematical Society
Complete Curriculum for Grades 6 to 8
Continuation of the mathematical education and problem-solving curriculum for middle school students.
Purchase
Author: Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner, Translator: Michael Henry Heim
Published by: Henry Holt and Company
In twelve dreams, Robert, a boy who hates math, meets a Number Devil, who leads him to discover the amazing world of numbers: infinite numbers, prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers, numbers that magically appear in triangles, and numbers that expand without end.
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Author: Theoni Pappas
Published by: Wide World Publishing/Tetra
Penrose, a cat with a knack for math, takes children on an adventurous tour of mathematical concepts from fractals to infinity.
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Author: Dr. G. Lenchner
Published by: Mathematical Olympiads For Elementary and Middle Schools, Inc.
A collection of 400 challenging problems and solutions from Math Olympiad contests.
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Editor: Richard Kalman
Published by: Mathematical Olympiads For Elementary and Middle Schools, Inc.
Continuation of challenging mathematical problems and solutions.
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Authors: Dmitri Fomin, Sergey Genkin, and Ilia V. Itenberg
Published by: American Mathematical Society
A unique exploration of mathematical circles that demonstrates how mathematics can generate enthusiasm similar to team sports.
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Author: Steve Olson
A gripping narrative about six kids competing in the World's Toughest Math Competition, offering insights into mathematical talent and competition.
Purchase