Strengthening of Mathematics Laboratory activity work in classes III to VIII

You are aware that the concept of Mathematics Laboratory was introduced by Central Board of Secondary Education in its affiliated schools few years back. Every school was advised, through a detailed circular to establish Mathematics Laboratory in order to promote teaching learning of the subject through activity work and hands on experiences. It was also suggested that the concept may be introduced from class III to class X. With the objective of implementation of the concept in the right earnest, activity and project work was made an integral part of the prescribed syllabus at secondary stage and the scheme of internal assessment in Mathematics was introduced in class X examination from the academic year 2006-07. A detailed circular dated 18th July, 2005 including related information was sent to all the affiliated schools. March, 2007 class X examination was conducted according to the new scheme. A series of initiatives including publication of guidelines to schools on Mathematics Laboratory for classes IX and X giving detailed activities and suggestive project work, were taken by the Board during this period. Additional guidelines have also been provided in the form of circulars issued from time to time and through orientation programs for Mathematics teachers. Schools have also been asked to ensure greater objectivity in internal assessment in the subject vide circular no.02/07 dated 10th January, 2007. It is expected that every care is being taken by the schools to implement Board’s policies in the true spirit and make learning of Mathematics more joyful and fun-filling. In order to strengthen the concept of Mathematics Laboratory further, specific syllabus related activities in the subject have now been identified for classes III to VIII with the help of practicing teachers. Latest NCERT textbooks have been kept as the base for generation often activities based on different concepts included in the syllabus for every class. Care has been taken to ensure that the teachers and students are able to perform these activities with relative ease, no expensive materials are required to perform these activities and these do not increase the curricular load in the subject. The list of all these activities for classes III to VIII is enclosed with this circular for ready reference. The same is also available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in. The Board expects that the listed activities will be performed by the students of respective classes from the current academic session 2008-09. Additional supplementary material related to these activities is also being developed and will be made available, to schools shortly’ Your cooperation in meaningful transfer of Board’s efforts to classroom situations in solicited.