Maths is a daunting subject. It is dreaded by most kids in their formative years of school. In actuality, fear should not be present in the first place and Maths can be fun too. The concepts must be instilled in kids in a manner that is intriguing and which would develop their liking for such a tricky subject. Then it would be smoother along the higher grades as they progress with complex topics. How would this be achieved? One of the best ways to initiate a solid foundation, would be to smartly integrate Maths along with Art and Craft. Many educators in Dubai, the UAE, and the Middle East, in the GCC countries and across the globe follow this widespread approach. It is an interesting blend of explaining a relatively difficult subject like Maths with the use of creative Art and Craft that is loved and enjoyed by a majority of young kids. This kind of inclusive learning boosts their memory, enhances their creativity, kids certainly grasp better and retain the knowledge for a long time. We have mentioned below some delightful Maths Art and Craft projects for kids.

Pretty Plants

The basic concept of addition in Maths is taught to children with this elementary art activity of drawing beautiful plants on paper. The petals of the flower and leaves of the stem would be used to convey how addition happens. Plants will have multiple flowers and their corresponding stems with leaves. Kids would be made to count the number of petals they have drawn on the flower and the number of tiny leaves drawn on the stems. Then they would be made to sum up the petals and leaves on each different flower of the plant and declare a total. Later they would add colour to their cute creations. So, art and craft through drawing and colouring and maths through counting and adding makes an engaging activity.

Colourful Paper Plates

In this activity, each kid would be given 4 white paper plates. Then they would be made to stick different coloured paper onto different plates and cut out the round shape correctly, trimming off the extra paper. Now they would be learning Maths fractions like 1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4. Each coloured plate will have 4 separate fractions written on them and as per the number division the plate would be cut off in those many pieces. E.g., 1 – The plate would remain whole as it is and for 1/2 – The plate would be cut into 2 pieces, likewise for the other fractions into 3 and 4 pieces. So, they are learning Maths concepts, experiencing joy with craft and colour, and are developing motor skills too.

Fun Ice-Cream Sticks

Kids get to make fun stick characters on paper using ice-cream sticks and alphabets. Here the maths concept of Odd and Even numbers is introduced to them. So, they are asked to make 2 guys, one would be Mr. O and the other would be Mr. E with each letter drawn out big with sketch pens on paper. Then the ice cream sticks would form each characters’ body, hands, and legs. Mr. O would have numbers 1,3,5,7 written on him and Mr. E would have numbers 2,4,6,8 written on him. In this manner they are taught this concept of odd and even numbers, initially beginning with single digit numbers and then teachers can move to higher odd and even numbers all with art, craft, fun and play.

Eye Catchy Beads

This particular activity is to help kids learn shapes of objects which are later going to be used in Maths calculations and theorems such as square, rectangle, triangle, circle, and a 6 faced cube. Colourful plastic beads of these different shapes are given to them. These beads have pre-cut holes in them. Kids are then made to pass strings through the holes to make creative necklaces out of the many shapes. Hence this becomes a great activity along with knowing shapes, colours, and making lovely art and craft abstract necklaces with beads.

Wonderful Blocks

Which kid wouldn’t want to play with blocks? This is by far the most loved activity. Kids get to make creative colourful block towers stacking up blocks above each other. The art of stacking is one, the main idea behind this is to teach them multiplication. If you gave kids multiplication tables to learn otherwise, it would get bland for them and they would just mug it up without understanding the calculation or the logic behind it. That can be done after this activity so they will be familiar with tables and multiply like a pro. Through this favourite fun activity while stacking blocks they are going to learn this Maths concept very well. So, there are different denominations of blocks made to be stacked by them and each block will have a number. For e.g., a block tower of 3 blocks with digit 1 on them will be explained as 3 X 1 = 3, a block tower of 4 blocks with digit 2 on them will be explained as 4 X 2 = 8. So, this is how they will excitedly learn and play and the art of stacking again strengthens their motor skills.

‘Mathletics’ is an amazing mathematics platform for educators and learners. They support learning for students in the classroom and home, through interactive activities, games, and challenges. They offer students the chance to put their mathematical skills to use through relevant, attention-grabbing activities. It is the perfect mathematics engagement program for schools and homes.

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Math phobia or Math anxiety is a deterrent in one’s learning journey and creates insecurities amongst the learner, such that the student starts feeling this subject is ‘not my cup of tea’.

As a parent you might just shrug it off when your child comes and tells you he has a ‘fear of math’. However uncanny it may sound; Math phobia is a real thing! It is a very common type of stressor that students face and it gets worse before exams. Students find it extremely difficult to remember formulae, theorems, and calculations, especially when they are being timed & have to submit their answer papers before the examiner rings the bell.

“Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” were the words of Jillian Michaels. Parents and teachers must encourage the learners to overcome the fear of Math and embrace it by following a few helpful tips that we will share with you in this article.

Tips to overcome Math Fear

1) Acknowledge the Phobia: Acknowledging the fear is the first step to overcoming it. Have a conversation with your child and explain that it’s okay to feel afraid of ‘numbers’ and that it can be resolved with some extra support. Even a bright student who performs exceedingly well in other subjects might develop Math Phobia. That doesn’t mean the student needs to be labelled as a ‘slow learner’ or ‘Incapable of studying’.

2) Practice Solving Math Problems Daily: Math is a subject which cannot be learnt by giving it just ‘one glance’. There is no scope to ‘mug up’ the answer and hence the only way to master Math is by setting aside 30-40 minutes everyday for math homework. Revise the ‘theorems’ and ‘calculations’ taught by the teacher in class and keep practicing them by referring to a Math guide book. And if you feel the Guide Book is such a bore, the new trendy thing is to download Math E-Learning Apps and have fun while solving problems. Mathseeds is one such dedicated Math learning App available in UAE, designed as per the K-2 curriculum. It focuses on reinforcing core Math concepts and problem-solving skills amongst learners.

3) Use Math in Everyday life scenarios: When children express their hilt of frustration and question ‘what is the use of studying Math?’ ‘would the distinction between a rhombus and a hexagon ever come handy to me?’, simply sit them down and talk them through. Math becomes meaningful when concepts are applied in day-to-day scenarios. So next time you set budget for groceries, involve your children and allow them to take the lead. Baking a cake for Christmas? Let your little one weigh the amount of flour required as per the recipe. Ordered a bedside table from Ikea? Let your little one sit besides you and figure out recognizing ‘angles’ and ‘shapes’ comes handy, while putting together a piece of furniture. The more you involve them, their interest grows and finally figure Math is not all that bad a subject!

4) Encourage Competitions and Group Learning: Solo studies are great, but when likeminded students come together, the level of excitement is increased manifold. Divide your child and his friends into groups and play a game or two of treasure hunt, where the clues are revealed only on solving the problem correctly! If it is not feasible to gather students at one place, simply log-in to the same e-learning Math Apps and compete with other Math learners remotely. Mathseeds features numerous challenges and activities which can be played remotely, and of course there is always a surprise in store for the winner. That means if you are in Dubai or any other country in the Middle East, you can compete with another learner from Australia who you have never met before.

Each learner is different, and it is unfair to set ‘sky high’ standards or expectations, especially when it comes to learning Math. Pressurizing a child to perform better in Math and forcing him to solve problems from a textbook may only create more frustration and add to the dreaded ‘Math anxiety’. We suggest parents to make math fun, interactive and a way of life.

To learn more about Mathseeds or to subscribe to them from GCC, visit out website: https://knowledge-hub.com/

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Science experiments do not necessarily have to be practiced in a state-of-the-art chemistry, physics or biology lab in school. Science is all around us and its wonders can be discovered even at home.

What is Static Electricity

In K-12 schools across Dubai and other countries, the topic of ‘Static Electricity’ is introduced to students in Grade 4. So static electricity is the energy that can make your hair literally stand! It is a phenomenon where charged particles are transformed from one object to the other. You must have noticed that when two objects are rubbed against each other, in a dry surrounding, the objects acquire equal & opposite charges thereby developing a force between them. This is nothing but static electricity.

Some Facts About Static Electricity

1. Static electricity builds up on the object’s surface with positive and negative ions which cancel out each other, thus making the static charge stay in one place.
2. The two objects have different charges, one object would build-up positive charge and the other will have negative charge.
3. Scientists discovered that lighting is a good example of static electricity. When ice particles within the cloud rub against each other, a spark or static force is generated, thereby causing a streak of lighting.
4. Fabrics cling together due to static electricity when rubbed together. When the positive and negative ions come in contact, they attract each other and hence the materials cling.
5. A photocopier machine that prints on paper uses the principles of static electricity. When the sheet is placed on the glass, an image is projected onto a positively charged drum and the drum conducts electricity when the light hits it. The toner on the other hand, has negative charge, so it gets attracted to the drum. This attraction between the toner and the drum, rolls out print on the blank piece of paper.
6. In the future power banks wouldn’t be required to charge your phones. Research is being conducted to test whether phones bouncing in one’s trouser pockets is sufficient to recharge the batteries of the device. How cool is that!

Fun with Static, Try these Simple Experiments at Home

Floating Plastic Bag

Take a plastic rod and rub it against a piece of cloth for about 50 seconds. Lay the plastic bag on a table and now repeat step 1 by rubbing the piece of cloth, but this time onto the surface of the plastic bag. Move the charged plastic rod over the plastic bag and watch the charged plastic bag fly as if there were no gravity on Earth! Astonishing isn’t it?

Explanation: When you rubbed the plastic rod to the cloth, the rod got negatively charged and the same happened to the plastic bag when it was rubbed against the cloth. Now the rod and the plastic bag have negative energies and when they come close to each other, they seem to repel or move apart – as same energies seem to repel against each other.

Changing the Course of the Water Stream

Take an inflated balloon and rub it against your hair for a couple of seconds. Turn on the faucet of water attached to a sink and bring the rubbed balloon close to the steady stream of water flowing. Remember, do not touch the balloon to the water, just bring it really close. You would be amazed to see that water gets attracted and moves towards the balloon magically.

Explanation: When the balloon was rubbed on the head, it got charged with negative ions. Water naturally has a composition as H2O (two molecules of Hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen). Since more of hydrogen is present it water, it is slightly positively charged. When the positive stream of water is introduced to the negatively charged balloon, they being opposite forces attract to each other. Hence the water appears to move towards the balloon.

Separating Salt and Pepper from the Mixture

Did you know separating salt and pepper seasoning is possible with a simple static experiment! Take a bowl and mix a teaspoon of salt and pepper powder thoroughly. Rub the spoon over a cloth for 50 seconds. Bring the spoon over the salt & pepper mixture and watch the pepper jumping towards the spoon.

Explanation: When the spoon is rubbed it gets negatively charged. Both salt and pepper granules have positive energy. The negatively charged spoon when brought close to the mixture attracts the positive ions of the pepper & salt, but only the pepper jumps towards the spoon as it is slightly lighter than salt and sticks to the base of the spoon. So next time your toddler mischievously mixes salt and pepper, don’t be mad at him. Simply work through the experiment and get them separated!

If you are a working parent and don’t have time to arrange for materials required to carry out the experiments, we present to you Carolina’s Science Kits. Carolina is amongst the largest provider of Science kits to schools across all areas of physics, chemistry, and biology. In-fact most IB Schools in UAE and GCC Countries rely on Carolina to stock their science labs with dedicated pre-categories ‘science kits’ for children.

Carolina’s Triboelectric Series Kit emphasis on introducing children to Static Electricity by supplying readymade materials to carefully undertake the experiment. The kit comprises of different textures like; silk, wood, Teflon, cotton, wool, nylon, etc. so that students thoroughly understand the concept. For more details about purchasing the Carolina Kits in the Middle East, visit our website: https://knowledge-hub.com/

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Everything you’ve ever learnt has been under a set curriculum. Which is why curriculums play a pivotal role in all kinds of education and learning. Right from setting the pace to the level of learning, the curriculum defines the entire learning experience of a student. Being the life line of learning, a curriculum is not only a necessity but also greatly changes how effectively a student is able to learn and absorb knowledge.

While crafting a curriculum for an effective learning experience, a few variables need to be taken into consideration.

Outcomes

Any knowledge or information is only as good as its application or end result. This is why the primary variable to be considered while crafting a curriculum is setting objectives and outcomes. Outcomes define the entire approach of instruction and learning. For example: You wish to learn how to paint. But what is it that you wish to paint, a canvas? A house? Or even a building. Approaches of learning and techniques used to learn all vary with what you wish the end result to be. By determining the outcome, you wish to come to, you can essentially determine the entire course of learning and hence shape the learning process to its optimal level.

Content

Once your objectives have been decided, the next step for any curriculum is deciding the content. The content essentially is the drawing board of a curriculum. Based on the content one decides upon, the level of learning and duration is determined. Planning the content also involves selecting and eliminating content based on what is deemed suitable for the program being designed. Content for a curriculum is determined based on the objectives set and the duration of the program. The content of a curriculum can also be used as a tool to help learners graduate into complex concepts by starting out with simpler and more basic concepts.

Instructional Strategies

How learnings are experienced and knowledge is transferred varies with whichever instructional strategy is the most effective. Based on the selected subject an instructional strategy can be created to deliver effective results. Instructional strategies can be chosen based on the outcome required from the learning. For example; arts and crafts can be taught theoretically but practical hands-on experience delivers the best knowledge transfer in this case. Similarly based on content required from the learning strategies are decided for effective learning experiences. Action strategies are also based on the student themselves so each instructional strategy is devised based on what is suitable for the learner for the subject being taught.

Technology

The technology used to teach greatly impacts the effect of the learning. The curriculum that is defined in the beginning of a learning experience must rely on the technology being used for instruction of the curriculum. For example; universities and institutes in the GCC Countries and UAE began using audio-visual tools as supplement for the common methods of teaching at the time in metropolitan cities such as Dubai in the Middle East. This greatly impacted how the learners responded to the information being taught and raised their learning experience by a great degree.

Next learning platform is developed over the above points in value. The platform helps design, create and maintain curriculums, while also providing a platform for reporting and analysis of student performance. This helps create a one-stop solution for institutions to develop a student’s learning experience holistically.

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An Infographics is nothing but a visual representation of data. They say an image speaks a thousand words! Well, infographics apply the same thumb rule. When the information is represented on charts, pie diagrams, and imagery, with minimal content of text, we refer to it as an infographic.

Where are Infographics used?

Infographics are use to convey a message to the audience without confusing them with unnecessary jargons. In today’s age, your audience doesn’t have time to read lengthy paragraphs and comprehend the meaning of the texts. Everyone appreciated crisp information and to-the-point data, which is where infographics comes handy.

One might have come across different pictorial representation of messages on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter. Many brands use infographics to drive important analytical data to the audiences, by using marketing creatives that showcase pie charts, bullet points, and thumbnails in their advertisement.

While making a corporate presentation often company statistics are presented in the form of an infographics to grab the attention of the co-workers and drive the point home. Emailers, newsletters, hoardings, you would be surprised to bump into an infographic design every now and then.

Even in schools’ infographics makes studies easier to grasp. For example: To distinguish between farm animals and wild animals, healthy and un-healthy foods, often an interesting colorful chart is represented with explainer points under each classification. Another example is; History lessons can be made easy by having an infographic representing events and dates on a timeline chart, so that it is easier to recollect the facts during exams.

Why are Infographics effective?

Infographics are very effective for reasons more than one. Let us see how:

1. Visual representation of data reveals a story. The different scenes of a story are interwoven and presented in one infographic image. This makes it more intriguing for viewer and they can easily visualize the message.
2. Interesting background colors, templates, icons, different font styles, and unique graphs make it eye-catching, rather than having to read through lengthy texts.
3. Important facts are highlighted in an infographic. Since the design can accommodate only limited text, and it has a defined dimension, unnecessary points are done away with completely.
4. Step by step methodologies are clearly represented to the audience. For example: ‘steps to install an App’ on your mobile and how to go about using it, can be highlighted on an infographic.

How Students Benefit from learning to Design an Infographic

For designing an infographic, one needs to have knowledge about basic computer skills and be familiar with the functioning of the design software. Here are a few benefits gained by students on getting started with curating infographics:

Applying Research Skills

To be able to factually represent data, the student must have good understanding about the topic. Information can be availed on the ‘web’ or one can read a ‘book’ on the topic from the school’s library. This primary research helps the child to understand why in-depth reading is important and how facts can be presented graphically. Subjects such as science, math, and geography can extensively make use of infographic mediums.

Using Computer Literacy

In order to design the infographics and make it visually appealing, the child should understand graphic designing elements and apply them correctly. There are numerous platforms that children can use for designing purposes like; canvas, paint, Adobe InDesign, however these are at advanced stages. To start with, schools in the UAE, including Dubai recommend the TechnoKids tool, which designs age-appropriate learning modules on computer lessons for students. TechnoEarth is one such project where students are instructed to build infographics related to an Environmental issue in a guided step-by-step manner. Children learn how to add charts, add colors, use outlines, insert text, add titles, and calculate percentages, wherever necessary on the infographic. If you reside in the Middle East or belong to the GCC Countries, you can learn more about the TechnoKids platform by visiting our website: https://knowledge-hub.com/technokids/.

Enhances Creative Thought Process

Children are allowed to let their imagination run wild. How fun it is to choose colors, create layouts, draw lines, and decide upon a theme for the infographic designs. One also needs to inset the right images, add titles, and highlights stats on the image. Students love to experiment, and this is one of their greatest opportunities to apply their creativity and design something totally out-of-the-box.

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