Polonca Vodičar, Katja Završnik, OŠ Vransko, Tabor

Children are accompanied by animated images from their birth. They are interested in them, they like watching them again and again. On the other side, children think that problem solving tasks are difficult because they need to find out the correct mathematical operation and then calculate it successfully. We decided to create cartoons together with the children that will help them to practise basic four mathematical operations. We connected funny animated images with solving mathematical problems. Third graders who participated in the project deepened their knowledge of Math, Slovene and Art and their knowledge of animation. At first they revised their knowledge of animation from the previous school year. Then they created mathematical problems that consisted of all four mathematical operations. They transformed mathematical problems into stories rich in words. The scene, the figures and all for the animation needed parts were made in the after-school care class. The camera and the Movie Maker programme were used to animate the heroes in the additional classes. We achieved our main goals. Pupils learned about simple tools they can animate their heroes with. They presented their knowledge of basic mathematical operations by creating mathematical problems. They developed their creativity by planning activities that demand several steps. They developed their persistence too.