NON-TRADITIONAL TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS:

COLOURS OF AUTUMN

By DALĖ MALIŠAUSKIENĖ, a senior teacher of mathematics at Emilija Pliaterytė Basic School in Vilnius

Arousing curiosity of pupils and diversifying the teaching process by various projects are among the fundamental purposes of our school. Diversified educational techniques boost the pupils’ motivation to learn, enhance their activity and help to create friendly atmosphere and industrious mood. Subsequently, the pupils perceive their own role in lessons and after-school activities from a new perspective.

“Colours of Autumn” is becoming a traditional project.

Problems:

1. The motivation of pupils in teaching of mathematics

2. Application of mathematics:

• Use of Roman numerals
• Solving of text problems
• Drawing of diagrams
• Use of programmes: Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer and Paint
• Teaching of Symmetry

Objectives:

• Fostering the pupils’ motivation to learn
• Developing the non-traditional mathematical thinking
• Emphasizing the practical importance of mathematics
• Training of the skills of making use of information and communication technologies
• Teaching the pupils to work in team and collaborate
• Educating to take friendly attitude and training of social interaction skills
• Developing the creativity and aesthetical perception
• Stimulating the public spirit and patriotism

For fifth-class pupils, I provide quizzes, non-traditional problems and solution methods. For sixth-class pupils, I employ a variety of diagrams, for seventh-class pupils, original problems, and I employ a non-traditional teaching of the symmetry in the eighth class.

Any knowledge is better acquired when emotions are involved.