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Unlocking Mathematical Thinking
Math in the Junior School is dynamic, interactive and collaborative, going beyond textbooks to build confidence, conceptual understanding and critical thinking.
Guided by a growth mindset, our curriculum balances inquiry-based discovery with explicit, teacher-directed instruction. Through hands-on exploration and real-world problem-solving, our youngest learners actively discuss ideas, analyze patterns and take ownership of their mathematical journeys right from the start.
“By designing lessons so every student can learn in the way that works best for them, we’re able to help them feel both supported and challenged,” says Junior School Teaching and Learning Lead Lia MacLeod. “We focus on conceptual understanding over memorization, encourage students to share their thought processes, and create a learning environment where students can get up out of their chairs, work on vertical whiteboards, and use enriching manipulatives to support their learning.”
Across the Junior School, girls engage with mathematical concepts through tactile, interdisciplinary and collaborative experiences. Here are a few examples:
- JK/SK Coding & Fine Motor Connections: Kindergarteners build foundational sorting, patterning and sequencing skills through activities like weaving and embroidery, simultaneously strengthening their fine motor skills while exploring early computational logic.
- Early Number Sense & Spatial Design: Grade 1 students use Cuisenaire rods and double-sided counters to master part-part-whole relationships, while in Grade 2, students apply pattern calculations directly onto grid paper to design custom t-shirt patterns.
- Collaborative Inquiry & Advanced Problem-Solving: Grade 6 mathematicians tackle complex spatial challenges like the 36 Fences Problem, using posters to communicate their logic, analyze how shape affects area, and defend their mathematical thinking.
Rather than prioritizing speed or simple rote answers, a student’s progress is evaluated through observations, conversations and assessments. By grounding mathematical concepts in collaboration, real-world connections and active inquiry, BSS empowers girls to see themselves as capable mathematicians from a young age.
