We have learnt how kids learn since 2010
Think. Forget. Think Again
Young children are expected to forget ideas formulae. It is in-fact not advisable to memorise ideas at this stage of life. Take every problem as a new one. Think. Forget. So that you can think again.
In fact forgetting is essential to learning. Read more about the usefulness of forgetting in Neurologist Andrew Budson and neuroscientist Elizabeth Kensinger's work in The Harvard Gazette.
In fact forgetting is essential to learning. Read more about the usefulness of forgetting in Neurologist Andrew Budson and neuroscientist Elizabeth Kensinger's work in The Harvard Gazette.
Discover. Do not Learn.
Instead of worrying about formulae, think about patterns. For example consider the sequence 2, 6, 10, 14 ...
Can you find the 12th term of this sequence? Can you discover at pattern thinking about it on your own?
This is sometimes known as repeated derivation retrieval practise. Since the student is not encouraged to 'remember' or 'learn' they have the liberty to repeated derive whenever they see a pattern.
Read more on this from Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman:
"It will not do to memorize the formulas, and to say to yourself, 'I know all the formulas, all I gotta do is figure out how to put 'em in the problem!'
"Now, you may succeed with this for a while, and the more you work on memorizing the formulas, the longer you'll go on with this method--but it doesn't work in the end.
Can you find the 12th term of this sequence? Can you discover at pattern thinking about it on your own?
This is sometimes known as repeated derivation retrieval practise. Since the student is not encouraged to 'remember' or 'learn' they have the liberty to repeated derive whenever they see a pattern.
Read more on this from Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman:
"It will not do to memorize the formulas, and to say to yourself, 'I know all the formulas, all I gotta do is figure out how to put 'em in the problem!'
"Now, you may succeed with this for a while, and the more you work on memorizing the formulas, the longer you'll go on with this method--but it doesn't work in the end.
Do other things
At this stage of life, it is important to engage in nature, sports, music, literature and other activities. Knowledge pursuit is multi-modal in nature. Inspiration may arise from unpredictable sources. More importantly, the children should have a well-rounded life.
Read this research paper from University of Florida to understand more about this aspect.
Read this research paper from University of Florida to understand more about this aspect.
Another Language
It is important to understand and think in another language. This is particularly useful if you live in a place where more than one language is used. The linguistic inputs from the most trivial walks of life have the power to provoke imagination.
Read this article from UNESCO for more evidence in this direction.
Read this article from UNESCO for more evidence in this direction.
Teach someone else
Kids at Cheenta teach other kids what they have experienced in the classes. They work with rural kids from remote parts of India as well their peers from different parts of the world.
Teaching can help the kids to reach the next layer of understanding a certain concept. This also adds to the motivation of the child to yearn for depth of knowledge.
Read this book written by 8 boys from the School of Barbiana, Italy about a unique pedagogical experiment in this context.
Teaching can help the kids to reach the next layer of understanding a certain concept. This also adds to the motivation of the child to yearn for depth of knowledge.
Read this book written by 8 boys from the School of Barbiana, Italy about a unique pedagogical experiment in this context.
Cheenta classes are useful for Math Olympiads, ISI-CMI Entrances, Physics and Informatics Olympiads and Research Projects for school and college students.
For Grades 7 to 12 in school
Everyday. Non-Routine.
It is important to solve beautiful problems everyday. If you are a student of Cheenta then make sure to attend the problem solving classes regularly. Depending on the region and level you are in these classes may happen 2 to 5 days a week.
Since 2010, Cheenta students exhibited outstanding performance in the national and international level olympiads. The key to this success story is simple: the kids who attended the problem solving sessions regularly were successful. Those who did not, were not successful.
Since 2010, Cheenta students exhibited outstanding performance in the national and international level olympiads. The key to this success story is simple: the kids who attended the problem solving sessions regularly were successful. Those who did not, were not successful.
Choose 1 book. Finish it.
In this age of internet, resources are abundant. This can be confusing for many students.
Make sure to choose 1 book and complete all problems from it from cover to cover. Do not browse thousands of websites, solutions and books in search of the perfect resource. There isn't one.
For middle school students start with Mathematical Circles by Fomin. High School students may focus on Challenges and Thrills of Pre-College Mathematics. Read about other recommended books as well.
Make sure to choose 1 book and complete all problems from it from cover to cover. Do not browse thousands of websites, solutions and books in search of the perfect resource. There isn't one.
For middle school students start with Mathematical Circles by Fomin. High School students may focus on Challenges and Thrills of Pre-College Mathematics. Read about other recommended books as well.
Do other things
At this stage of life, it is important to engage in nature, sports, music, literature and other activities. Knowledge pursuit is multi-modal in nature. Inspiration may arise from unpredictable sources. More importantly, the children should have a well-rounded life.
Read this research paper from University of Florida to understand more about this aspect.
Read this research paper from University of Florida to understand more about this aspect.
Another Language
It is important to understand and think in another language. This is particularly useful if you live in a place where more than one language is used. The linguistic inputs from the most trivial walks of life have the power to provoke imagination.
Read this article from UNESCO for more evidence in this direction.
Read this article from UNESCO for more evidence in this direction.
Teach someone else
Kids at Cheenta teach other kids what they have experienced in the classes. They work with rural kids from remote parts of India as well their peers from different parts of the world.
Teaching can help the kids to reach the next layer of understanding a certain concept. This also adds to the motivation of the child to yearn for depth of knowledge.
Read this book written by 8 boys from the School of Barbiana, Italy about a unique pedagogical experiment in this context.
Teaching can help the kids to reach the next layer of understanding a certain concept. This also adds to the motivation of the child to yearn for depth of knowledge.
Read this book written by 8 boys from the School of Barbiana, Italy about a unique pedagogical experiment in this context.
Try Research and Entrepreneurship
A research or entrepreneurial project can change your perspective about education. Once you have gained sufficient problem solving skills through the olympiad programs, you may try those at Cheenta.
Read more about research opportunities.
Read more about research opportunities.
What Our Students Say
- Our experience with Cheenta has been excellent. Even though my son started in Middle School, they understood his Math level and took personal interest in developing a long term plan considering his strengths and weakness areas.
Murali Kadaveru (Virginia, USA)
- We think Cheenta is rendering an excellent service to humanity by identifying young mathematical minds and nurturing them towards becoming inspired mathematicians of the future.
Jayanta Majumdar (Glasgow, UK)
- My fear of mathematics has completely gone away. And I have started to believe in myself more. They have helped me in every problem. Thank you Cheenta.
Ishani Mazumdar, India