For many teachers, leading outdoor activities can be complicated because pupils are often more dissipated, particularly during the roaming phases. However, this is the type of key activity proposed by this project: taking learners outside the classroom to help them discover mathematics from a different angle. So how do we solve this problem? You don’t have to look very far 😉
Most schools have sports classes: sports teachers are used to supervising groups at events outside the classroom. Whether it’s managing group movements or capturing the attention of pupils during activities, their involvement can be very positive for the running of a ‘Visit Math’ activity!
As part of the organisation of our tests in Lille (France), Maxime Imbert (PE teacher at Collège Pierre Mendès) took part as a chaperone: this activity involved a lot of travelling from one point of interest to another. The involvement of Maxime and his colleague was a great help in supervising the group in this activity and in managing a large group of students.
In addition, the benefits of involving sports teachers can also enrich the content of the activity:
- Sport can be a direct illustration of mathematical principles, whether in terms of time management, space management with vectors of displacement, parabolas, statistics, etc ;
- Some buildings or urban features can also be the subject of mathematical study, such as stadiums, race circuits, cycle paths, etc.
Finally, sport is an excellent way of grabbing pupils’ attention: even for non-athletes, the name of a local sports club or an element can create a link with the activity and catch their interest.
Whether it’s for the simple organisation of the activity or the educational benefits, don’t hesitate any longer: offer your sports teaching staff the chance to contribute to the experience to enrich your pupils’ experience!