The culture of peace in European citizenship
"The Languages of peace" A “peace curriculum” in the formation of European citizenship through "research-action"
A creative learning project for schools to make pupils feel part of peace in: local history, human understanding and both local and European identity.
Intercultural school project, which allows pupils to have the chance to get to know each other and build friendship and shared collaboration with both foreign end own culture. Pupils learn about Children’s Human Rights and share creative work Older local citizens and local research are used for history learning and pupils produce articles and magazines ICT is the tool for cooperation, pupils’ products and sharing these quickly, easily and smoothly.
Pupils’ Skills: Intercultural competences and cultural awareness ICT skills
Improving foreign language skills and social competences History locally
Authentic communication and creative expressions Learning to learn
A “peace curriculum” in the formation of European citizen through "research-action"
In working for peace, it is important for children in schools to research the culture of other countries in order to understand those cultures. Hereby they also learn even more about their own country and culture because everything is compared to their own culture. As this curriculum is about European citizenship, children must learn about the EU, the historical background and why the EU was chosen for the Nobel Peace prize. Human Rights are essential, especially those for children – here you can also look into special human rights for own country. Peace and history are better understood when local citizens are involved . Citizens, who have experienced war in the local area, in their family, and daily life.
Partnerfinding: www.etwinning.net ICT Tools are twinspace (etwinning), Skype, photos and texts, presentation tools such as PowerPoint, PhotoStory3, videos and e-books (www.issuu.com) Communication language is English and the pupils’ native language. Organizing in the project Whole school did decorating and performances relating to partner schools with cross cultural awareness and activities and ‘peace activities’ made by all classes: songs, dances, presentations, acting and playing. These shows were done on the visit of the partner schools. Here families and community were involved. Many classes participated in Skype meetings. Some classes had penpals. A few classes shared on twinspace. All classes worked with Children’s Human Rights and made shared presentations and paintings. Many classes participated in the research of testimonies about peace in European citizenship with senior citizens and made questionnaires, research, essays, and articles. Great and engaging project because: Pupils worked creatively, with as well as curriculum as culture. Work was important to them because they collaborated with children of their own age in authentic communication. Pupils found the use of older citizens extremely engaging and exciting and they kept asking questions and did wonderful articles and research. They really wanted to know their local history. Dealing with Childrens’ Human Rights made them aware of the necessity for such laws.
Phases
Activities
tools
Worksheets about culture Presentation of own school, town, area and country Skype meetings Penpals School visits School shows Songs, folkdances, food, national days celebration, photographing and drawing and writing.
Internet, books. Video and PowerPoint Presentations Writing and drawing Plan and rehearsal of a school show Singing national songs, playing, acting, dancing, foreign recipes and crafts. Photos Craft work Maps of the countries – art
Worksheets about EU. Teachers corner on etwinning.net – research of Nobel Peace Price
History background
2
Children’s Human Rights Special human rights in own country
Reading, drawing and being creative. School event. Red-cross ambassador in school Online magazine Production of a common text: "The rights which build peace"
3
Research of testimonies about peace in European citizenship;
Prepare interviews for senior members of community (grandparents) Invite senior members to school, listen, ask and write. Local museums and archives Local archive articles and photos. TV-Documentary Books Landmarks Pupils telling and publishing learned history. For example in online magazines
Research of ‘Peace’ in literature and daily life and history. “Different aspects of Peace”
Research, drawings, Musical
1
4
This project was based on a Comenius project 2013 - 2015. Collaboration between Istituto Comprensivo "Vitruvio Pollione", Formia Italy Scoil Shéamais Naofa Bearna, Co Galway, Irland Thyborøn Skole, Skolevej 7, 7680 Thyborøn, Denmark Eteläinen koulu Koulutie 37 74200 VIEREMÄ Finland SÜLEYMAN ÇELEBİ ORTAOKULU,CESUR SOK. HUZU R MAH. SEYRANTEPE ŞİŞLİ POLİS LOJMANLARI İÇİ ISTANBUL Turkey Project website: http://new-twinspace.etwinning.net/web/p98515
Pupil Questionnaire to assess current knowledge
NAME: ____________________
AGE: _______
CLASS: ____________________
DATE: ________
Partner School: X 1. What is the language of X? __________________ 2. What is the unit of currency in X? _____________ 3. What is the capital city of X? __________________ 4. Draw and color the flag of X 5. Write three other things you know about X: i.
ii.
iii.
6. Color in X on this European map:
7. Challenge!!! If you can, mark the following on the map: a) The capital of X (put a dot and the name of the city) b) The names of the seas surrounding X c) Any other famous / important cities, islands, mountains, etc. in X 8. What would you like to learn about X?