KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
The project ‘recreaMATHS’, is intending to shift the teaching of mathematics to kindergarten, by providing the kindergarten educators and formal/non-formal STEM education providers with meaningful non-formal tools which shift the emphasis from “numeracy skills” and ‘skill and drill practices’ to teaching the ‘language of math’ by aligning to this spectrum both the content and the pedagogy of the material produced. As per Southey (2014) “[w]hen numeracy is framed as competency around ‘number’, educators may limit the possibilities for children to make meaning about their world in a range of mathematical ways”. As per this Vice president of Early Childhood Teachers’ Association “[w]hen math is viewed as a language with particular ways of framing the world, educators are more likely to use child-centred practices” (Southey, 2014).
Taking this into consideration, recreaMATHS along with its inherent methodologies are targeting towards the following results:
(a) The formation of a unique mathematical approach for kindergarten educators which frames mathematics not just as a competency around number, but as socio-cultural product as well as a multifaceted educational field, through a journey of its demonstrated applicability in everyday life, technology, culture and arts, as well as through its correlation with the European cultural heritage. Accordingly, the educators will be endowed with alternative pedagogical methodologies and synchronous interdisciplinary best- practices to approaching simple math concepts and reasoning for preschool ages, thus helping the students to develop skills related with “Mathematical Discourse, Logic and Reasoning”.
(b) The familiarization of kindergarten educators with the utilization of digital tools and technological innovations (e.g., 3D modelling, printing, publication software) for the construction of modern math manipulates that serve their peculiar educational needs and objectives.
(c) The design and development of an inclusive educational approach suitable for Deaf/ Hard of Hearing and Visually impaired students, as well as for students with SLDs.
By employing methodologies, such as “game-based pedagogies” and “experiential learning” as well as by assimilating the concept of “mathematical exhibitions/ math exhibits” that has widely been adopted in order to conceptualize and delineate both the work and vision of the most reputable Math Museums worldwide, the project recreaMATHS aspires to bring math museum- oriented methodologies in kindergarten classrooms. Such decision, has been based on the rationale that math museum activity is capable of changing the perception of
mathematics, especially by developing and strengthening its own language, different from the school language and the scientific popularization.
4 INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS:
- 1 methodological guide which aspires to set the ground for the formulation of the synthetic elements of a solid and coherent pedagogical approach.
- A sophisticated collection made up of 5 mathematical e-books for kids (4-5 years old) and a second version for children 6-7 years old that could be used in kindergarten and primary schools’ classrooms, both endowed with animations, illustrations and audio material/recordings. A Creation- Kit on mathematical e-books appealing to educators, which aspires to guide the latter on the creative, pedagogical and technical aspects of generating tailor made E-books on math- from scratch.
- An entire collection of 12 hands-on plus 2 Virtual Mathematical exhibits for kindergartens, based on the principles of experimental learning and play-based pedagogies. The exhibits will be accompanied by their blueprints, relevant info and pedagogical guidelines, but also by relevant workshops and lesson plans.
- A concise 20-hour Module on 3D modelling, printing and photogrammetry which endows kindergarten educators with the appropriate know-how on how to utilize a computer aided software with the aim to ideate, design, illustrate and print out their own math manipulatives and three-dimensional exhibits. A creation kit composed of design maps, thoroughly analysed instructions and ready-to-print designs (3D) of the 12 mathematical exhibits.
NATIONAL WORKSHOPS (under the IOs):
- The entire IO2 methodology (E-books and Creation Kit for math E-books) will be transmitted to kindergarten educators and students. It’s been estimated that 200 students and 25 kindergartens in total will participate during the national workshops.
- A 20-hour training course on 3D Modelling for the creation of interactive math exhibits/tools/ games in each partner country with the participation of at least 10 kindergarten teachers/STEM educators and educational providers.
- After their printing, the hands-on exhibits will be experienced by the students of national kindergartens of each country. It’s been estimated that 200 students and 25 kindergarten teachers in all the partner countries together will participate during the national workshop.
Project Duration: 01/12/20 – 31/05/2023
Project Number: 2020-1-FR01-KA201-079971
Website: www.recreamaths.eu
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.