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Marlborough Girls' College | Te Kāreti Kōhine o Wairau

Mathematics in Action!

Parmeshwar Mohan - June 12, 2024

Active Maths learning involves engaging students in the process of discovering, understanding, and applying mathematical concepts through interactive and participatory methods.

This approach emphasises hands-on activities, collaborative problem-solving, and real-world applications, moving away from passive rote memorisation and towards a deeper, more meaningful comprehension. 

Techniques such as group work, maths games, technology integration, and exploratory tasks encourage students to think critically, ask questions, and develop a sense of curiosity and ownership over their learning. 

By making Maths lessons dynamic and interactive, active Maths learning fosters a more engaging and effective educational experience, helping students to develop not only mathematical skills but also a positive attitude towards the subject.

Photos included with this article show:

The Year 9 students work in pairs in their Maths class, combining learning and creativity. They skillfully draw bar graphs and add bright colours, turning data into beautiful graphs. Bar graphs turn data into a simple, clear picture, making it easy to understand and enjoy. Watch as they use their imagination and teamwork (Kotahitanga) to bring Maths to life, making learning fun and colourful.

Students in our school frequently engaged in hands-on Maths activities. In the above image students are using a ruler as they carefully measured the length, width and height of a cuboid to calculate the surface area and volume. This practical exercise helped them understand geometry better and made learning fun and interactive.

Students are learning how to find the total surface area of a prism. This hands-on activity helps them understand the practical applications of Geometry. In this activity students worked in groups to demonstrate the school values of Kotahitanga and Manaakitanga. They develop mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.