MATH&MOVE
ANYONE CAN KNOW MATH IF THEY STUDY THE RIGHT WAY
From October 2022, Primary School Savremena is part of another Erasmus+ project that won the competition and is funded by the French National Agency. The main goal of the “Math&Move“ project is to increase students’ motivation and interest in maths at the age level of primary school students, that is, students aged 6 to 9.
The method that will be applied to involve students in the field of STEM and especially maths is the use of kinaesthetic techniques for a better understanding of abstract mathematical concepts through the movements of one’s own body and/or body parts (head, feet, hands, etc.).
Maths is most often presented to students as an isolated set of rules and procedures, separated from their real life. The “Math&Move“ project implements innovative methodologies for teaching maths by connecting abstract content with concrete reality through movement. It is recommended that multidisciplinary activities be integrated into the teaching of maths through examples that activate the imagination during acquiring mathematical knowledge. In this way, students will master mathematical concepts and understand them better (Hershkovitz & Winner, 1984).
What is Kinaesthetic Learning?
Kinaesthetic learning, also known as tactile learning or movement-based learning, involves physical movement in order for students to master new material as easily as possible. These activities include stretching, yoga, dancing, cross-body movements, and cardiovascular exercise. When students use their whole bodies during studying, muscle memory gained from the activity reinforces the neural pathways created during the learning process.
Integrating exercise with learning has a positive effect on cortical mass, blood flow, and delivery of oxygen to the brain. Physical activity also increases the number of synapses formed between neurons in the brain, which in turn improves cognition and memory.
But what makes kinaesthetic maths so effective? When students learn maths through movement, games, and activities, they begin solving problems more creatively. The exercise they get from kinaesthetic maths games helps them focus their attention on new content and maintain it for a long time. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) learn best kinaesthetically, and exercise improves their attention and regulates their mood. When students enjoy learning, maths doesn’t become an obligation – it becomes a fun, interesting subject they’ll love!
Project goals
The main goals of the “Math&Move” project are:
- a pedagogical framework that will help establish a knowledge base on which the partnership will work throughout the project;
- a methodology for teachers and families that will show them how movement and learning maths are connected, as well as ways in which they can implement the project’s resources;
- the multidisciplinary approach of this project should enable different types of students to acquire knowledge with ease because they will simultaneously deal with different types of intelligence: visual-spatial, verbal-linguistic, mathematical-logical, and bodily-kinaesthetic.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- NGO Fermat Science, Beaumont de Lomagne, France;
- SCS LogoPsyCom, Mons, Belgium;
- Arsakeio Primary School of Patras, Patra, Greece;
- Primary School Savremena, Belgrade, Serbia.
The latest news about Math&Move project: