ANFoMAM training meeting in Zaragoza

During the second week of September 2019 we held ANFoMAM training meeting at the University of Zaragoza to start up a part of each workshop: (T1) the understanding of arithmetic algorithms, (T2) Solving and representing arithmetic problems, (T3) Relationship between arithmetic and geometry, (T4) Mentalcomputation and use uf calculator, (T5) History of mathematics and its teaching and (T6) Geometric constuctions and geometric problem-solving.

The meeting was attended by students from the four universities (University of Rome Tre, University of Bordeaux, University of Zaragoza and Public University of Navarra). They participated in every workshop and, in addition, they had the opportunity to actively participate in a day with educators of the Association Sesdown that works with boys and girls with trisomy 21.

María Jesús Campión (Public University of Navarra) was the professor in charge of the Algorithm Comprehension Workshop. In this lesson, students were able to know different manipulative materials to perform different operations using classical algorithms.

Raquel García Catalán (Public University of Navarra) proposed a competition between groups as an incentive to carry out the activities of the Arithmetic Problems Resolution workshop. These activities were intended for students to identify and represent the implicit relationships between the amounts that appear in the "letter problems" usually raised in elementary school.

The workshop  Relationship between arithmetic and geometry  was conducted by professors José Ignacio Cogolludo (University of Zaragoza), Ana Cristina Gil Clemente and Elena Gil Clemente (Sesdown Association). The workshop consisted of knowing and analyzing mathematical facts that can be interpreted from an arithmetic and geometric point of view: Pythagorean theorem, sums of consecutive odd numbers and combinations of elements of a set. In addition, an autobiographical activity was also proposed, which helped participants to remember games made during their childhood that had some relationship with mathematics. Finally, students completed an activity about comparing some lengths with their eyes covered, pretending that they had some type of disability.

Valentina Celi (University of Bordeaux) was the professor in charge of the Mental computation and use of calculator workshop. Thanks to the workshop, students were able to know the "connected number diagrams" to represent the decomposition of natural numbers and observe different reasoning that Primary students perform when they are executing mental calculations. In addition, they could verify that the use of the calculator in the classroom is not contrary to the realization of mental calculations and reasoning.

The workshop History of mathematics and its teaching was given by Ana María Millán Gasca (Roma Tre University). After reading a story for children, "Awa teaches to count", we reflected on the role that children's literature can play in the teaching of mathematics. In that way, children can discover this discipline that has been developed throughout the history of mankind.

Finally, Francesca and Luiri Regoliosi (Tokalon Association) offered the Geometry workshop in which we knew about "La Boca" and "Ubongo" board games for learning geometric aspects.

Training meeting for the members of ANFoMAM project

The University of Rome Tre and ToKalon association prepared a three-day training in Rome (5-7 March 2020) for participants, teachers and trainers from ANFoMAM project partners. Training consisted of participants could work on themselves to rediscover mathematics in its profoundly human and humanizing facet, deepening on the connection between mimesis and education.

On the first day the activities were carried out by the members of ToKalon and the Department of Education of Roma Tre University. The second day was scheduled to go to the Center of Pedagogy of the Expression "Ark of the Forest" to receive training of instructors Laura Bartoletti and Federica Arlotti, of the MimesisLab laboratory of the Roma Tre University. Finally, on the third day, Francesca Neri was to be in charge of showing how to draw inspiration from the pedagogy of the performing arts for the teaching of mathematics.

However, the sanitary alert by the Covid-19 forced to cancel the face-to-face training and, consequently, the Center of Pedagogy of the Expression "Ark of the Forest" designed material for online training (access to the material). Finally, on Saturday 28 November 2020, partners and collaborators of the project met virtually to share feelings and opinions about the training.

ANFoMAM summer course for teachers' development (UPNA)

 "Aprendemos de los niños y las niñas para formarnos más y enseñarles mejor matemáticas"  virtual course was held from 29 June to 4 July 2020 within UPNA's "Summer Courses" programme.

The course had 4 principal objectives: (1) To provide a didactic approach of the teaching of arithmetic from the point of view of geometry, in order to bring children closer to the most abstract arithmetic aspects based on the natural conceptions of space that they already have. (2) To address the approach and resolution of arithmetic problems through the design of pictorical models and body expressiveness, which makes it possible to bring these problems closer to schoolchildren with reading difficulties, due to their age or their particular characteristics. (3) Work, through manipulative models, the understanding of algorithms associated with arithmetic operations. (4) Provide tools to bring mathematics closer to children with Trisomy 21.

17 people with different backgrounds and profiles participated. On the one hand, the virtual character of the event allowed people from different Spanish autonomous communities to participate. On the other hand, in addition to having the participation of active teachers, it counted on the participation of students of the Grade for Teacher and educators with different profiles.

All the conferences are visible on ANFoMAM Youtube's channel (click here to see the conferences).