As part of our work in the South African Numeracy Chair (Sanc) Project at Rhodes University, we have introduced after school mathematics clubs for Grade 2 to 4 learners across a range of schools.
As part of our work in the South African Numeracy Chair (Sanc) Project at Rhodes University, we have introduced after school mathematics clubs for Grade 2 to 4 learners across a range of schools.
Since our first pilot club in 2011 we have established or supported the establishment of 10 clubs across 8 schools in Grahamstown and the surrounding areas.
Local and national interest in our clubs is growing rapidly and we have run various teacher workshops on how to start and run clubs.
NGOs and after-care centres are also interested in using our model for after school and extension programmes.
We have freely downloadable booklets and materials for starting clubs on our website to support anyone who wishes to start and run a club.
After school mathematics clubs provide rich learning opportunities for both learners and facilitators as they are free from curriculum and daily classroom pressures (such as assessment, large classes and moving learners at the same pace).
Our research in clubs to date suggests that clubs are successful in enabling learning across mathematics with a focus on conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and positive mathematics attitudes.
We use a lot of dice, card and other games in the clubs as these encourage interaction and having fun.
The clubs are supportive communities where learners are encouraged to make sense of their mathematics by talking, arguing, explaining and asking questions about mathematics.
Learners work as individuals, in pairs and alongside club mentors.
There is very little ‘whole group teaching’.
We also emphasise building mathematical confidence and we believe that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow our brains.
After school clubs aim to help learners think about and enjoy mathematics.
The clubs are voluntary and take place during out-of-school time.
The learners are expected to be active and engaged and club rules may differ from in-school time rules.
Clubs seem to work best when there are smaller groups of learners — perhaps between 10 and 15 and a mix of levels. A club can focus on:
• Maths recovery / remediation
• Extending and challenging beyond potential
• Individualised attention
• Strengthening mathematical dispositions, confidence and trajectories
If you are interested in starting a club, please visit our website at http://www.ru.ac.za/sanc/mathsclubs/startingyourownclub/ or contact Debbie on d.stott@ru.ac.za / 046 603 7358.
Our website also has links to other useful articles and research that we base our club work on.
See http://www.ru.ac.za/sanc/numeracyresources/otherresources/index.html andhttp://www.ru.ac.za/sanc/numeracyresources/mathslinks/index.html.
