Education is an integrated process with a flexible curriculum that takes into account the heterogeneity of the learner and learning styles. Emphasis is laid on acquiring linguistic & logical ability and nurturing multiple intelligence by adopting innovative methods to stimulate interest and attention among the students. This opens up pathways to a holistic and harmonious development of the young learners. There can often be a tendency for teachers to over-explain topics in class and to dominate discussions, so that a child's ability to grasp certain methods of calculating problems is stifled. Teaching mathematics at foundation and primary level should be fun. Stories, puzzles and written or mental games could all feature in any numeracy session.
To incorporate these above mentioned ideas it was decided that a Mathematical Garden would be the most appropriate innovative approach in teaching learning process specially in relation to teaching of mathematics at primary level.
1) Although mathematics is a very interesting subject, but it may be very tough , if we do not understand its basics. A visit to the Mathematical Garden will enable students :
- to acquire the knowledge of abstract concepts related to numbers in a concrete manner.
-to make learning meaningful ,as here , in the Mathematical Garden they will get ample opportunity to manipulate numbers in a practical manner , using their hands and feet instead of using paper and pencil in a dull , monotonous confined space.
- to develop a keen interest in the subject and shun mathematics phobia , as learning is taking place in open space with greenery and cheerful atmosphere all around.
- to learn while playing.
- to exercise and use higher order thinking skills as they will not be required to solve the sums in copy mechanically
-to take full participation in the activities as there will not be overcrowded classroom or back benchers
The initiation of the Mathematical garden has introduced a great sea of change among students:
- attitude towards learning mathematics they eagerly wait for their maths period
- retention of Mathematical information
- practical application of Mathematical concepts
- motivation level to understand Mathematical concepts
-integrated learning as they develop their reading skills while reading the matter written on board , framing questions based on the concept and providing their solution as well.
- higher order critical thinking skills
The following sections present such games and activities displayed in the Mathematical Garden .
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The following concepts can be cleared by this grid 1) Number Recognition 2) Recognition of Numbers from 1 to 100 with their Number names 3) The concept of AFTER , BEFORE & BETWEEN. 4) Concept of INCREASING Order & DECREASING order of the Numbers. 5) Addition & Subtraction by Forward & Backward jump. 6) Skip Counting By Two ,Three and so on. 7) Multiples of Numbers 8) Prime and Composite Numbers 9) Knowledge of Addition Fact & Subtraction Fact. |
| 1) Students are able to express the place and Place value up to 9 digit numbers both according to Indian and International Place Value Chart. 2) Doing Addition and Subtraction using Abacus. (Without borrowing & Carrying). |
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1) Students are able to identify Circle and some basic terms related to circle like Radius , Chord , Diameter , Centre . 2) To measure Circumference using a thread. 3) To show the difference between a circle and a sphere. |
| 1) Seven basic Roman Symbols (letters for numerals). 2) Gain knowledge about name and Number of days in different months of a year. 3) Multiplication Table and Ordinal Numbers. 4) Counting and identifying numerals in Hindi. 5) Arranging numbers in Increasing order and Decreasing order. 6) Recognition of shapes – Circles, Rectangle , Square , Triangle |
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1) To show the time in both 12 Hour Clock & 24 Hour Clock and how to inter-convert them. 2) To measure and compare the heights of students. 3) To develop the concept of Light , Heavy using a Balance by weighing things. |
| 1) Measurement by Non Standard unit with the help of FINGER , HAND SPAN, CUBIT & PACE. 2) To measure the length , breadth of different shapes ,recognise them and find out their perimeter and area. 3) To find out area of Flower bed and path. 4) To measure angles of different shapes. |
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