Experiences

The room of my dreams for real money

Bogumiła Szukalska

Poland

Primary school

Maths

Teaching in class

I am a teacher of mathematics at primary school, but at the same time I conduct individual classes with students from lower secondary school. A lot of my lessons are conducted outside the school. Especially those that allow students to consolidate and practice the skills learned. I conduct the cycle of classes in economics. Project entitled 'room of my dreams for real money' begins with brief talk. Then we visit the nearest DIY store where children become familiar with the materials that may be useful to decorate the room. Students at various departments can ask questions to workers, read the labels to find out in what units one should buy laminate flooring and other decorating elements. What is the efficiency of paints and in what capacity they could be purchased, will just one layer of varnish do, or two or more are needed? They make notes, gather information about materials of their interest, then in the school they receive the plan of the room and design its own decoration, not exceeding a fixed amount that is allocated for this purpose (with an emphasis on the fact that they should pay attention to the quality of purchased material - price should not be the only determinant). They have time to familiarize prices in other stores or warehouses with construction materials and compare them. They perform a lot of different types of calculations with great zeal what would be difficult to encourage them during normal lessons. They have to make very accurate estimate giving sizes, units and prices from leaflets from a particular shop where they are going to make a purchase. Subsequently, they present the proposal of the contractor with regard to labour costs calculated for the size of their room. They seek for the contractors in the advertisements and carry out conversations individually (in this action they may be assisted by adults). It is a long-term project partially implemented in the classroom, and partly as homework. The summary of the project is the documentation. During all activities students consolidate the skills to calculate area, perimeter, scale. They practice counting skills, exchanging units. They consolidate knowledge in practical way. They see the point in acquiring such a type of skills.