Starting from the idea that one of the key competencies of the 21st century is the mathematical competence, the 5 European schools considered necessary to brush up the teaching methods and open doors to educational innovation by taking Math outside the classroom. About 73% of students from all the partner schools find Math boring and impossible to learn. In all partner schools there is a need to increase interest, curiosity and knowledge in mathematics, improve the mathematical skills of low achievers and create new materials in teaching math. Through " MATHEMATICS" we intend to raise students’ awareness and interest in learning Mathematics. Specific Objectives: -support directly 132 students and 30 teachers to develop innovative cross-curricular materials during 5 international exchanges until 01.09.2020; -develop mathematical competence for 80% boys and girls from 5 EU countries until 01.09.2021; -stimulate curiosity and creativity among students from 5 EU schools by connecting mathematics to real life; -increase interpersonal and intercultural communication competence among 80% of participating students from 5 European schools until 01.09.2021; -improve mathematics assessment and learning using inquiry-based learning. The " PLAYFUL MATHEMATICS” project is addressed to students coming from 5 European countries and the direct target are students from lower secondary schools, in particular students who are 11- 14 years old. There are 5 short term exchange of pupils (Romania ,Slovakia ,Turkey, Hungary and Italy) planned and The total number of participants who will attend the mobilities is of 125 students and 50 teachers . The project promotes an innovative approach that will aim at increasing students’ interest and motivation in learning Math. The activities are designed to encourage learning by doing, by discovering, thinking skills, creativity, imagination, as well as, English and ICT skills. The implementation of the project is structured to achieve the project’s aims using the inquiry-based learning method. By tackling students’ curiosity in correlating math with the real world, they will discover by themselves the profound influence that math has on their daily lives. Six different topics will be approached during the 5 exchanges of groups of pupils: MATH & ART, MATH & NATURE, MATH AND CURIOSITIES, MATH IN SHAPES, MATH IN DAILY LIFE-HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR LIFETSTYLE? and DIGITAL MATH. Students’ mathematical skills, curiosity and creativity will be developed using a cross-curricular approach. Students will be encouraged to see the connection between Math and other school subjects like Art, Music, History, PE and ICT. Using games, team building activities, fundraising activities, surveys, Erasmus+ day events will significantly contribute to enable students to learn in an international context. All the project’s products will be created by students during the mobilities. During the hosting meetings the partners will attend lessons, will observe and exchange good practices and get more familiarized with European educational systems. The cross-curricular approach and the international exchange will help create innovative materials that can lead to the development of the school curricula in 5 European countries, in accordance with the feedback and methods exchanged during the meetings. By using the inquiry-based learning (IBL) method the students will become aware of the practical applications of Mathematics in everyday life. The following tangible results are expected during the project and on its completion: logo of the project, presentations, a brochure containing poems about Math, a common song, a calendar of the project, photos/ drawings, surveys about “Math in daily life - How Healthy Is Your Lifestyle?”, a travel manual, videos (“Using History to Teach Math”), Geometric toys, bookmarks, leaflets, questionnaires, a booklet of the project, digital dictionary and the final DVD of the project. The intangible results expected are: increasing mathematical competence, improving mathematics assessment, stimulating creativity in teaching and learning math and developing motivation for using cross-curricular materials and inquiry-based learning in the educational process. "PLAYFUL MATHEMATICS" project will present a validated model of innovative and creative interventions for the development and improvement of teaching and learning Mathematics. This Erasmus+ project offers a wide range of opportunities for self-development for teachers by giving them the opportunity to be updated with the last methods of teaching used in the European Union.
The Playful Mathematics project increased students' mathematical literacy through innovative ways of learning based on play and creativity. It was centered on an innovation of the educational subject of mathematics through modern teaching methods. The aim of the project, to increase students' mathematical literacy through playful forms of teaching and improving their relationship with mathematics, was fulfilled. Partnering schools from Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey and Romania carried out the project while forming a strong friendship and achieving an exemplary international cooperation. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the project lasted three school years. Despite the difficult circumstances, all the activities were carried out. Their topics were: Math and Nature, Math and Art, How Healthy our Lifestyle Is, Digital Math and Math and Curiosities. The target groups of these activities were pupils and teachers who worked together at the international level. Pupils were involved in all phases of the partnership, including project planning, implementation and evaluation. They experienced unforgettable joint meetings that celebrated intelligence and acumen by solving countless problems, puzzles and logical tasks. The activities were very diverse and creative, connecting the world of numbers with different areas of life. They promoted active and playful learning, exploration, critical thinking, creativity and imagination, as well as English and computer literacy. Part of the project's activities was also the creation of new teaching materials for pupils. Teachers developed their professional skills by focusing on the use of innovative educational methods in teaching mathematics, which have a broad impact on the development of the student's personality. They had the opportunity to learn about and understand other EU countries' mathematics curricula, as well as to share examples of best practice with European colleagues. Four short-term exchanges of pupils were implemented by teachers and took place in Slovakia in Kremnica, in Hungary in Sátoraljaújhely, in Romania in Ramnicu Valcea and in Turkey in Bursa. Calendars, photo books, a dictionary of mathematical concepts, mathematical games, art works, student presentations, and a methodological guide with topics including playful mathematics were created to raise awareness and spread the project's results. The results were disseminated via electronic channels, including school websites, the e-Twinning platform, and regional press. The project had a significant impact on the participants. Pupils improved their relationship with mathematics, learned to connect the world of numbers with everyday life, improved communication skills and experimented with learning in an international context. Teachers were inspired to pursue lifelong learning and work in an international environment. Innovative materials have improved school curricula in four European countries. Schools will be able to focus more on internationalization and educational quality as a result of the cross-curricular approach and international exchange of experience.