La “nuova matematica” nella Scuola Primaria – Le esperienze e i progetti di alcuni maestri eccellenti – BRICKS Abbiamo chiesto a quattro insegnanti eccellenti di commentare come la matematica viene insegnata oggi in Italia ai bambini delle Primarie, e come invece nuovi approcci educativi – anche al di là della tecnologia – possono trasformare l’insegnamento, l’apprendimento ed il gusto per una materia che dovrebbe essere alla base di una cittadinanza consapevole ed attiva. Si tratta di quattro insegnanti particolarmente apprezzati dalla Fondazione intitolata ad Enrica Amiotti (1885-1961), maestra elementare per 47 anni, che dal 1970 è attiva per identificare e premiare le eccellenze didattiche nella Scuola Primaria. Dal 2012 la Fondazione Amiotti ha posto la sua attenzione sulla didattica supportata dalle tecnologie e dai contenuti digitali, con particolare riferimento all’insegnamento della matematica, delle scienze e della lingua inglese, ed ha lanciato con AICA e l’Accademia A. Olivetti l’iniziativa PADDI (Patente per la didattica digitale). Amiotti – Volete presentarvi?
What’s Cooking in your iClassroom? While educators know that math is all around us, sometimes students have a difficult time grasping its impact on our every day activities. Though the apps listed below may not inherently scream proportions, rate, sequences, and percentages, they very easily lend themselves to providing creative and engaging connections to real world problem-solving activities. Some of the apps can be used as hooks and others to provide data for further problem-solving or to spark discussion. (App Screenshots added to and displayed with XNote app with customizable graph paper background). Real-World Math meets Edutainment curated with XNote app Farmers Market: This tool provides users with 4 different vendors and 4 different customers. Carnazzo's Multiplication Stories utilizing My PlayHome and iPen
20 random iPad Maths Apps that help cover all areas of curriculum Around this time last year, I wrote a post about the lack of engaging Maths apps on the iPad that went beyond “skill and drill” number activities. Since then, developers have introduced a greater range of apps across all areas of the Maths curriculum that can be used to enhance the Maths teaching and learning in your classroom. Here’s a selection of 20 apps that cover Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability ( these are the Content strands (CS) Australia’s Mathematics curriculum has been categorized under ). Undecided (free at time of writing) CS -Statistics and Probability PS – Reasoning Decide Now! Does what Undecided doesn’t with spinner. DragonBox+ ($6.49 – expensive for multiple copies) Despite the cost, which would be prohibitive for some schools with limited budgets, this is a clever app for building conceptual understanding of the principles for balancing algebraic equations. CS – Number and Algebra PS – Understanding, Problem Solving, Reasoning
Maths Through Stories It seems obvious to plan primary English work around stories and texts. Whether we use short stories, picture books, animated films, novels, oral tales or any other form of story to engage children and give them a focus for their writing, the results speak for themselves. We can use the Talk for Writing model of imitate; innovate; invent and children are guided through the writing process, supported by the wonderful world of stories. We know that stories engage and capture children’s imaginations Why then, do we not think in the same way for maths? There are some great examples of books written specifically for maths teaching. Even the most reluctant of mathematicians cannot fail to be hooked into discussions about place value, multiplying and dividing by How Many Jellybeans? However, there are also the less obvious books: books not written to address mathematical concepts but which engage children and start them off on mathematical adventures. Been inspired by this article?