Innovative mathematical storytelling initiative in Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2024 saw the launch of an innovative mathematical storytelling initiative in Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna, Dublin, and two Gaeltacht schools, one in Connemara, Galway, and the other in Ráth Chairn, Meath.
The aim of this initiative is to provide students in the upper primary years with an opportunity to develop their thinking as well as their use of language in mathematics.
1, 2, Spraoi, is a unique collaboration between Mathscify founder, Dr Lorraine Harbison, with Tríona Nic Fhionn, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, and the Fighting Words team, Seirce Mhac Conghail, Nora Nic Con Ultaigh, and Bríd-Treasa Wyndham. Together they have worked with three stories, written by DCU preservice primary teachers as part of their major specialism in mathematics education, to make these stories accessible and meaningful to students in the Irish Medium Education sector.
Recasting mathematical concepts into a narrative, the stories take on an adventurous format. Students must identify the pattern of robberies to capture the pet thief in “Smelling of Roses” which can be found with the Reasoning assessment resources, or work out the time in the story“Tic, Toc, Croc goes to the Party” found with the Communicating assessment resources.
The third story, “What are the Chances?”, is a cliff-hanger. Students must use imagination and creativity to finish the story and decide the probability of who will make it to the hidden treasure first. This task can be found with the Applying and Problem-Solving assessment resources.
