Examples of Mathematical Problems in Primary and Secondary Education that Include the Actual Calendar Year

Abstract

It is widely believed that math classes in primary school belong into the category of least favorite classes. Entire teams of psychologists, educators and mathematicians have studied the student aversion (and, to a certain extent, parent antipathy) to math classes, but they have also studied methods and ways to overcome this problem. They have tried to find a way to improve students’ activities, to make them more engaged in classes, and to increase their motivation. One of the opinions is that the student success requires their strong will, persistence, diligence and perseverance. Certainly, the competence, motivation and consistency of teachers, who lead them to the world of knowledge, have a great influence. One of the methods of achieving a positive influence of teachers, in the domain of increasing interest in mathematics and reducing aversion to it, is the use of interesting mathematical problems, in which the numerical value of the current calendar year or even the current date appears. The aim of this paper is to point out how the motivation of primary school students to adopt mathematical content can be increased. With concrete examples of interesting algebra problems, which tickle students’ fancy and make them think, we show how some lessons can be learned.