Maths Teaching in Developing Countries
Donation protected
We (Celi and Huw), two qualified primary teachers, over the years during our travels to developing countries, visited schools in local communities. We have noticed that all maths teaching takes place with the teacher at the front of the class teaching to the same concept to every child using a blackboard and chalk and with no manipulatives. We want to introduce maths manipulatives to children and teachers in most need.
Place value is the most fundamental concept in maths. Children need to construct meaning for themselves and the most productive way to do this is by using manipulatives to represent concepts where discussions can occur and authentic co-operative activities can take place. Maths using the base 10 system is universal and manipulatives provide a common language to communicate. Ideally we want children to solve real world problems with hands on materials and learning aids. By volunteering our time in schools we hope that the teaching of mathematics by teachers will change.
How will we do it?
We volunteer our time in local schools and teach mathematics (number and place value) to teachers and children using maths manipulatives provided by Edx Education. The kit which is packaged in a sturdy bag contains : place value arrow cards, and assortment of dice, base 10 blocks, flash number and patterned cards, a 1-100 pocket chart, base ten counting beads, unifix cubes, giant number and dot matching cards, ten frames, 1-120 number boards, double sided coloured counters and place value flip chart. We teach primary school aged children aged between 5 and 7 years old in local schools and communities who do not have access to good teaching methods and materials.
We base ourselves in a school and teach for at least one hour a day in the same year level for 2-4 weeks.We will take into account individual differences among children and change children's perspective of maths by increasing interest, engagement, enjoyment and motivation.
Through inservice and workshops we will model and demonstrate good teaching methods and strategies to teachers and equip students on how to use concrete materials to solve problems and look for patterns and generalisations while making learning fun. The manipulatives will represent explicity and concretely, mathematical ideas that are abstract as children need to use concrete materials first and eventually they will see how this connects with written procedures in mathematics.
As the project grows we would invite other teachers to join us by volunteering their time and expertise therefore maximising our impact in the school.
At the end of the allocated time we will move onto our next destination and leave the kit behind so the teachers in the local schools continue to teach maths using manipulatives, thus the project becomes sustainable.
Our overall vision....
To enhance the ability of children in underpriveleged communities in developing countries throughout the world to create, make connections, express and problem solve in mathematics focusing on the base ten number system and place value.
Our aim in the long run is to set up the project as a charity run by volunteers, no one will be paid for their time or teaching service. We would like people to sponsor kits - individuals, comapnies or schools. We can place your logo on the kit bag and send you a picture of the kit being used in the school.
The funds will also be used for transport costs and living cost ( basic accommodation) while we are based in a school.
Our website will be - www.geckoonthemove.org
Facebook- Gecko on the Move
Place value is the most fundamental concept in maths. Children need to construct meaning for themselves and the most productive way to do this is by using manipulatives to represent concepts where discussions can occur and authentic co-operative activities can take place. Maths using the base 10 system is universal and manipulatives provide a common language to communicate. Ideally we want children to solve real world problems with hands on materials and learning aids. By volunteering our time in schools we hope that the teaching of mathematics by teachers will change.
How will we do it?
We volunteer our time in local schools and teach mathematics (number and place value) to teachers and children using maths manipulatives provided by Edx Education. The kit which is packaged in a sturdy bag contains : place value arrow cards, and assortment of dice, base 10 blocks, flash number and patterned cards, a 1-100 pocket chart, base ten counting beads, unifix cubes, giant number and dot matching cards, ten frames, 1-120 number boards, double sided coloured counters and place value flip chart. We teach primary school aged children aged between 5 and 7 years old in local schools and communities who do not have access to good teaching methods and materials.
We base ourselves in a school and teach for at least one hour a day in the same year level for 2-4 weeks.We will take into account individual differences among children and change children's perspective of maths by increasing interest, engagement, enjoyment and motivation.
Through inservice and workshops we will model and demonstrate good teaching methods and strategies to teachers and equip students on how to use concrete materials to solve problems and look for patterns and generalisations while making learning fun. The manipulatives will represent explicity and concretely, mathematical ideas that are abstract as children need to use concrete materials first and eventually they will see how this connects with written procedures in mathematics.
As the project grows we would invite other teachers to join us by volunteering their time and expertise therefore maximising our impact in the school.
At the end of the allocated time we will move onto our next destination and leave the kit behind so the teachers in the local schools continue to teach maths using manipulatives, thus the project becomes sustainable.
Our overall vision....
To enhance the ability of children in underpriveleged communities in developing countries throughout the world to create, make connections, express and problem solve in mathematics focusing on the base ten number system and place value.
Our aim in the long run is to set up the project as a charity run by volunteers, no one will be paid for their time or teaching service. We would like people to sponsor kits - individuals, comapnies or schools. We can place your logo on the kit bag and send you a picture of the kit being used in the school.
The funds will also be used for transport costs and living cost ( basic accommodation) while we are based in a school.
Our website will be - www.geckoonthemove.org
Facebook- Gecko on the Move
Organizer
Tracy Harper
Organizer
