HAPPY MATHS
Teachers' courses
Psychological approach to teaching at school
Malta 6th- 13th November 2022
Five teachers of Primary School No 13 in Zawiercie took part in a professional development course entitled "Psychological approach to teaching at school" in Malta. This was done as part of the Erasmus+ project entitled "Happy Maths" implemented at school as part of the Erasmus+ Accreditation. The teachers deepened their knowledge of the psychological approach to teaching at school, and also improved their knowledge of the English language. The aim of this course was to help teachers understand what factors (in the context of school and home) affect a child's functioning and how they can be better managed to ensure the child's best functioning in school and learning. The issue of emotional intelligence, emotional training and factors that can affect learning were discussed. Teachers analyzed situational factors, taking into consideration home and school conditions - whether they can increase or decrease learning difficulties, as well as learning difficulties, including dyslexia, autism and disruptive behaviours. The impact of stress, time and people management in teaching, and strategies to help optimize classroom learning were discussed. Teachers also had the opportunity to get to know the culture and monuments of Malta.
The activities you have carried out during the course
The teachers:
- Discussed what factors within the student, teacher and context (home and school) affect student functoning to better understand students’ development
- Developed confict resolution and problem solving skills
- Brainstormed on appropriate teaching methods (based on psychological approach to teaching)
- Discussed basic psychological approaches to teaching, especially psychological approach to teaching Maths,
- Developed lesson plans – the use of psychological approach during lessons;
- Did role-playing - simulating different types of students’ destructive behaviour and suggesting solutions;
- Brainstormed on how to deal with learning difficulties: dyslexia, disruptiveness, ADHD, Autism Specrum Disorder among students
- Managed information - acquiring information from the training, interview and observation- analysis and synthesis
- Visited the most important cultural places in Malta
Improved skills and gained knowledge
The teachers:
- Got to know psychological attitudes at school
- Got to know the role of interpersonal skills and emotion regulation
- Got to know learning difficulties including dyslexia, disruptiveness, ADHD, Autism Specrum Disorder
- Learnt factors such as emotional intelligence and attachment that may impact on learning
- Learnt various behaviour management strategies
- Learnt how to teach with psychological approach
- Developed communicative competence in English in everyday and professional situations, extension of specialist vocabulary in the field of psychology
- Got to know the resources of the Internet - websites with teaching aids for teachers with regards to psychology.
- Developed the ability to work in an international team,
- Developed intercultural competences – getting to know contemporary realities and the geography and culture of Malta,
- Maintained friendly relations with other participants of the course.
The presentation prepared by the teachers:
29Deepening knowledge and acquiring new skills the teachers worked out lesson plans of different subjects.
LESSON PLANS
Travelling around Manchester and other big cities. (Grade 8)
This lesson plan contained elements of a psychological approach to teaching. Throughout the lesson emotion coaching phrases were used by the teacher to show support. The difficulty level of tasks was adjusted to students' potential and limitations. Students were encouraged to recognize their own emotions by filling in an anonymous survey. The plan and conduct of the lesson were based on Top 20 Principles on Pre K-12 Teaching and Learning.
JOB SHADOWING
2 teachers of Agrupamento de Escolas de Aljustrel took part in job shadowing in the Polish school
- Primary School no 13 in Zawiercie
Activities and tasks performed:
• Research information about Poland previous to the mobility
•Visting the school, a brief explanation about the functioning of the school and the Polish school system
• Meetings with the host school mentor
• Meetings with the host maths teachers - learning about the Polish maths curriculum, teaching and assessment methodologies
• Attending different maths classes – obsevation of Maths lessons with students of different ages
• Taking part in the meeting of the Team of Mathematical and Natural Science Subjects – analysis of lesson plans, teaching and learning strategies and methods, ways of knowledge assessment; discussion
• Cultural visits – Wieliczka Salt Mine, Zakopane, Auswitz Concentration Camp, Cracow
• Final meeting and evaluation of the mobility
Professional skills and competencies acquired:
• Acquiring knowledge about the structure of the Polish education system.
• Getting to know the Polish Maths curriculum
• Developing different methodologies for teaching mathematics
• Getting to know ways of knowledge assessment used in the partner school
• Developing different learning assessment methodologies
• Improving English language proficiency
• Development of communicative competence in English in everyday and professional situations, extension of specialist vocabulary in the field of Maths
Social skills and competencies acquired:
• Adaptability to new situations
• Developing knowledge of Polish culture, history and politics
• Developing the ability to understand and accept other culture
• Developing the attitude of tolerance and openess to other cukture and customs
• Developing the ability to cooperate in an international team
• Developing tcompetences in the field of interpersonal communication, coping with new situations, maintaining friendly relations with teachers of the partner school,
• Getting to know new culture and working environment, establishing international contacts, overcoming cultural barriers.
32JOB SHADOWINING OF TEACHERS OF Agrupamento de Escolas Aver-o-Mar, Póvoa de Varzim
Job shadowing took place within the Erasmus+ project “Teaching and Learning Towards an Inclusive, Digital and Sustainable World”. Fátima Morais represented the teaching view of this work experience, while the Social Action technician Andreia Teixeira the social gaze, of those who participated in mobilities, under a jobshadowing regime, in three different moments, namely, Turkey, Slovenia and Italy. Through their intervention, it was possible for those present to better understand what this type of mobility consists of, the professional advantages it offers, as well as their experience in the schools of the countries that welcomed them. They highlighted the good practices observed in the classroom, the practices and responses in the social, cultural, digital and environmental domain that are developed in partner institutions, the bonds that were promoted between professionals, issues related to communication, and others.
TEACHER TRAINING
"Teacher and student of the new decade"
Corfu - 21st- 25th August 2023
From 21 to 25 August 2023. four teachers of Primary School No. 13 in Zawiercie took part in a professional development course entitled "Teacher and student of the new decade", which took place on the Greek island of Corfu. Together with teachers from other European countries, they participated in workshops, discussions, lectures, relaxation sessions and practical exercises, had the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange experiences. In order to break the ice, the teachers played the game "Speed dating". Then, the program and objectives of the training were presented. There was a discussion on the role of a teacher in today's world and the competences they need to have. The use of artificial intelligence in education was also touched on. The teachers deepened the subject of person-centred teaching and a holistic approach to education. Using the card game "The empathy game", the difficulties that students may encounter and how teachers can help in solving them were discussed. The concept of mindfulness and its role in maintaining good mental and physical health were presented. The participants of the course took part in a Greek evening, thanks to which they could get to know the culture of the visited country and integrate as a group. A sightseeing trip around the island took place. The teachers visited the following places: Kassiopi, the east coast of the island, the old town of the island's capital - Corfu, Palaiokastritsa and Lacones. There was a visit to the Adrioti school, the largest language school in Corfu, which uses modern methods of teaching English. The teachers explored the issue of mindfulness. They practiced meditation techniques leading to stress reduction and calming down. Embodiment Learning was discussed, i.e. learning through activities related to the body. The trainees performed practical exercises, observed the movement of their bodies and drew conclusions from their observations. There was a discussion on how teachers can take care of self development, and how their actions can have a positive impact on the local community and the whole world. Selected global problems and their impact on the shape of education were discussed. A debate on the dream school took place. The participants of the training learned about the Co-vision method, which supports teachers' cooperation leading to finding solutions to their professional problems. Then, a summary of the knowledge gained during the course was made. Participants made a "teacher's toolbox", i.e. a set of exercises and methods that they will use in their work. The course ended with a ceremonial presentation of certificates.
Aim of the course:
To provide teachers with the opportunity to explore and experience teacher's and learner's pathways in era 2020+.
Outcomes:
Toolbox for further work;
Better orientation in tendencies of education in 2020+;
Tested approaches/methods/ tools for teacher's and learner's new roles in 2020+;Inspiration for innovation in teacher's job;
Better understanding of holistic approach in education;
Getting an overview of education in future;
Learning and testing the ways of a non-violent communication;
Testing new methods of teacher-learner communication and cooperation;
Considering the ability to relearn/unlearn as well as the topics of resilience, sustainability and diversity;
Practice connection with environment;
Experience of holistic approach in education;Deepening the subject of person-centred teaching
Discussing the use of artificial intelligence in education
Getting to know the Co-vision method, which supports teachers' cooperation leading to finding solutions to their professional problems.
Taking part in a Greek evening and a sightseeing trip around the island - getting to know the Greek culture and traditions
Visiting the Adrioti school, the largest language school in Corfu, getting knowledge of modern methods of teaching English
Building on diversity (incl. people from different cultures, gender & sexual identity, migrant & refugee backgrounds)
Exchanging good practices and discussing challenges with fellow colleagues and the course trainers;
Learning and working together with educators from different European countries.
Gained competences:
Planning, carrying out, evaluation and analysis of the learning process in 2020+;
Choosing adequate methods/tools/ways for supporting learning process;
Mindfulness techniques for reducing stress and anxiety;
Personal reflective practice and learning how to use it for fostering positive students' development;Implementing person-centred teaching
Using the artificial intelligence in education
The use of the Co-vision method in teacher’s work
Increased knowledge of Greek culture, traditions, history and monuments;
Knowledge of modern methods of teaching English
Acceptance of diversity (people from different cultures, gender & sexual identity, migrant & refugee backgrounds); deployment of attitudes of tolarance and acceptanceCommunication skills in multicultural and multilingual context;
using community learning as a way to bring people together.
Presentation prepared by the teachers
LESSON PLANS CREATED BY TEACHERS AFTER THE COURSE
ENGLISH
ACTIVITIES