HOME - Hands- On Math Enrichment by Maria Petrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj Maria Petrescu's Diary of the eTwinning Learning Event 29.11 - 9.12. 2016 en-us 2016-10-23 11:17:50 UTC 2026-02-27 18:11:26 UTC hello@padlet.com Who am I mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141458853 I am a Maths teacher in Bucharest, Romania. I am always interested in improving my teaching methods, and in making my classes more interesting, motivating and engaging.

My hobbies are: reading, watching movies, travelling, trekking and sports.
]]> 2016-12-02 17:53:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141458853 My Teaching Context mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141459227 I teach Mathematics in School no. 195 Bucharest, Romania, at the lower secondary level. My students are between 11 and 15 years old. The school is very big (about 2000 students) with pupils between 6 and 15 years old. In every classroom we have access to video projectors and Internet (but not in the same time). We also have a computer room.]]> 2016-12-02 17:54:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141459227 Argument mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141459915 We all know how important it is that children experience mathematical activities across a range of contexts and locations and by using direct sensory experience – and that outdoor learning is just as important as ‘desk work’. Connecting Maths to every-day life and to our real environment gives Maths topics a purpose and a meaning. Remember that question that students ask: “Why do we have to study this?”? In order to avoid it, we can try to show them how Maths can be applied to other sciences, such as Biology studies, but also how one can use it in every-day tasks such as cooking, cost-effective packaging, gardening, in order to make difficult situations simpler and above all getting to know more about each other. Task such as treasure hunts, origami, paper folding, construction projects can combine modeling, object manipulation, problem solving, performing, movement and collaboration into a rich learning experience. ]]> 2016-12-02 17:56:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141459915 Argument mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141460812 2016-12-02 17:59:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141460812 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141461414 2016-12-02 18:01:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141461414 Argument mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141461600 Moreover, the types of activities we will be focusing on benefit and empower an important and often neglected skill: the spatial creativity. There are many students who have high spatial talent but relatively lower math and verbal talent who are likely missed by modern talent searches and therefore fail to have their talent developed to the extent it could. Hereyou have an article on the importance of spatial skills for future STEM careers and ways to develop it. Putting new skills to use will help students acquire a growth mindset, focused on progress, instead of a fixed one, focused on immediate results. (We will learn more on the mindset theory advocated by Carole Dweck later in the course!)]]> 2016-12-02 18:02:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141461600 Hands-On Teaching and Learning mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462296 2016-12-02 18:04:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462296 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462705 2016-12-02 18:05:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462705 Hands-On Teaching and Learning mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462890 2016-12-02 18:05:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141462890 Module 1- Oudoors activities mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141463464 Learning mathematics outside the classroom is not enrichment, it is at the core of empowering an individual’s understanding of the subject. If you haven’t experienced ‘real’ Maths in the environment yet, you – and your students – are missing out on some wonderful, powerful learning experiences. Take some Maths activities outside and feel the learning become richer and more meaningful – better yet, don’t take Maths activities outside – find the Maths that’s already there!]]> 2016-12-02 18:07:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141463464 Learning Outside the ClassroomMANIFESTO mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141463817 The  Manifesto opens with the statement, “We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.” Such experiences “help us to make sense of the world around us by making links between feelings and learning. They stay with us into adulthood and affect our behaviour, lifestyle and work. They influence our values and the decisions we make. They allow us to transfer learning experienced outside to the classroom and vice versa”. The document offers an insight on the benefits, strategies, aims and supporting actions connected to outdoor learning. ]]> 2016-12-02 18:09:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141463817 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141464568 2016-12-02 18:11:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141464568 Module 1- Oudoors activities mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141465346  eTwinning project called GOAL - Go Outside and Learn]]> 2016-12-02 18:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141465346 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141466269 2016-12-02 18:16:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141466269 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141466642 2016-12-02 18:17:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141466642 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141467045 2016-12-02 18:18:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141467045 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141467865 2016-12-02 18:21:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/141467865 Module 2- Activities using paper or string mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000145 2016-12-11 16:56:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000145 Module 2- Activities using paper or string mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000224 2016-12-11 16:57:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000224 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000265 2016-12-11 16:58:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000265 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000559 2016-12-11 17:02:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000559 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000706 2016-12-11 17:04:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000706 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000765 2016-12-11 17:05:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000765 Module 2- Activities using paper or string mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000787 Tools
Thinglink is a tool for creating interactive images by annotating. You can add links to a wide variety of content areas. You can look at this example. 
Tess is a tool for creating interactive lessons by combining online content, media and files. It's reliable and easy to use. You already had the A4 Math examples above. 
Artsteps is a tool for creating virtual exhibitions. You can create a gallery with your students' works. Here is an example.
Sliceform Studio is a free tool for creating Mathematical art. You can create your own tiling design online, customize it, download it and assembly it in reality. There are tutorials and a gallery for inspiration. 
]]> 2016-12-11 17:06:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000787 Module 3- Activities involving movement and constructions mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000826 2016-12-11 17:06:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000826 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000912 2016-12-11 17:08:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000912 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000946 2016-12-11 17:08:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000946 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000993 2016-12-11 17:09:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143000993 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001144 2016-12-11 17:12:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001144 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001271 2016-12-11 17:14:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001271 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001329 2016-12-11 17:14:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001329 Module 3- Activities involving movement and constructions mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001528 Tools
Building activities are often used in the flipped classroom - a very popular teaching strategy nowadays. In this blog post you have a list of 12 tools that can be used in such an activity. Many of them have tutorials or suggestions for educational use. 
]]> 2016-12-11 17:17:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001528 Module 1- Oudoors activities mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001597 Tools
As the activities take place outside the classroom or even outside the school premises, the tools for such activities have to be easily portable: for example measuring tools and cameras are very useful. Tablets or smartphones can offer a wide range of apps. Here are some examples.
 

Android apps: sketching and annotation tools (such as Sketch Box or Skitch), Geogebra, mindmapping tools (such as Mindomo), QR readers (such as ScanLife), photo editors (such as Pixlr or PicsArt), sound recording and sharing (such as Soundcloud), screenshot tools (such as Screenshot), doodling tools (such as You Doodle or Sketch for Keep), or even astronomy tools (such as SkyView). A very simple tool for creating QR codes treasure hunts is here or you can find ready-made treasure hunts on this website. 
 
And a few useful iPad apps: 30hands for creating a narrated slideshow using photos from your camera roll or drawing images or these tools for recording audio notes . A good tool can also be Educreations, for creating a lesson and sharing it. You can draw on a whiteboard or on photos while narrating what you are doing. The lesson can also be published on the Educreations website. I am not an iPad user, so if you need more STE(A)M apps, you can find them here https://ictevangelist.com/periodic-table-steam-ipad-apps/
]]> 2016-12-11 17:18:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001597 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001681 2016-12-11 17:20:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001681 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001794 2016-12-11 17:21:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143001794 mepetrescu https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143002047 2016-12-11 17:23:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mepetrescu/spxwfpf46qlj/wish/143002047