Math and Science at Creative Scholars

The development of early math and science at CS is focused on providing children with opportunities to participate in the scientific method, build a familiarity with the languages of math and science, and develop a drive to investigate and problem solve.

Our primary goal is for children to develop strong intellectual dispositions as they relate to working with math and science; we strive to help children develop the desire and capability to problem solve, to think flexibly, to collaborate, to question, to experiment, and to discuss. In the early years, particular science concepts are not the focus as the children’s interests dictate what types of phenomena are explored. It is through the children’s interests and ideas that the science curriculum is built and intellectual dispositions are nurtured as children explore physics, life science, geology, and more. Math is learned through play and discovery as we provide opportunities for children to learn the following foundational concepts: counting, data analysis, measurement, number operations, number sense, pattern, sets, shape, and spatial relationships.

While we have goals defined for each age group; we recognize that the continuum of mathematical development is wide and varied and we work to meet each individual child where they are at, celebrating all levels of development.

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Science in the Tots Program

Scientific learning in the tots program relates to how the children spend their days trying to make sense of their world. Some goals for the tots are:

  • to explore the ideas of cause and effect, particularly their effect on objects
  • to be curious
  • to physically manipulate objects to discover how they work

Math in the Tots Program

Mathematical learning in the tots program integrated in their daily routines. Some goals for the tots are:

  • to sort objects in their day to day, such as putting away toys and finding own shoes
  • to sing songs that use numbers and counting
  • to start to categorize, such as talking about who is and isn’t at school

Science in the Junior Kindergarten Program

Scientific learning in the junior kindergarten program is hands on and extended; the children dig deep into topics of interest and develop competencies in their chosen interests. Some goals for the junior kindergarteners are:

  • to experiment
  • to be curious
  • to talk about what they observe
  • to problem solve
  • to wonder
  • to collaborate

Math in the Junior Kindergarten Program

Mathematical learning in the junior kindergarten program is hands on and relational; the children build relationships with math concepts and see themselves as people who can use. Because the junior kindergarten children spend two years with us, some of these goals are for the younger children in the class while others are for the older children in the class. Some goals for the junior kindergarteners are:

  • to sort sets by different attributes and explain why they sorted that way
  • to understand that sets can be changed and to compare sets of objects
  • to create patterns
  • to use non-traditional measurement tools and compare size/weight of objects
  • to collect and compare data
  • to count with one to one correspondence
  • to recognize numerals
  • to accurately use positional words, such as “in front of”
  • to explore shapes
  • to compare and order sets of objects
  • to understand the many ways numbers are used (to count, to reference, to name, to order)
  • to count the same set of objects in different ways
  • to compose and decompose sets of objects
  • to create and recognize increasingly more complex patterns
  • to use measurement as a “fair” way to compare things
  • to collect, compare, and describe data
  • to use visualization of space to complete puzzles without trial and error
  • to explore and define shapes, including 3-D shapes

Toddler Program Match & Science

Young Preschool Program Match & Science

Junior Kindergarten Program Match & Science