M.A.D.E. in Poland by Katarzyna Cnotalska

M.A.D.E. in POLAND Comenius visit to Zespół Szkół Nr 1 Stryków / Poland Project M.A.D.E. From 6th to 10th October 2014

Teachers involved in the activities: K.Cnotalska (coordinator), A.Pęcherczyk, M.Nowicki, A.Fortuna, E.Kielak, M.Leszczyńska, O.Sadowska, M.Romanowicz, K.Cymera, K.Kołacka, M.Nowacki, M.Augustyniak, R.Jagodzińska, P.Magruk, A.Pietrych (Primary School no 4 in Łowicz), Simon A.Melinium, I.Staniszewska, A.Tuckendorf, D.Skolik. The lessons were prepared by: K.Kołacka, R.Karasińska, M.Romanowicz, T.Kacprzak, E.Kielak, R.Tomczak, E.Korona-Sochaczewska, J.Dyszerowicz, A.Pietrasik, M.Woźniak, E.Kunce. The host teachers were: A.Fortuna, O.Sadowska, K.Cnotalska, R.Mrowińska, M.Nowacki, K.Cymera/M.Wnuk.

Monday, 6th October 2014 10 teachers and 38 students from abroad took part in a visit to Poland. We provided many activities and showed many presentations for our lovely guests: a multimedia presentation "How everything began”; a movie presenting Stryków (recorded in English by Polish students). Children from the primary school danced the choreography inspired by the partner countries.

We showed a film about our students’ passions: music, dance and sports. Then integration activities began: The table, The company, The river, The statues, The barrel and The net, where students had to communicate in English, and support each other. The tasks required good ideas, collaboration, plans, chatting, skills, self-reliance and mutual trust. Later we had an outdoor orienteering game "European music and its creators", the first dancing workshop and another one- a special choreography invented by Polish students which became our project’s MADE DANCE. The last was a visit to the University of Łódź (Faculty of Philology) & a Polish language lesson for the teachers.

Tuesday, 7th October 2014 - A trip to Łódź, entitled "Trails of Arthur Rubinstein" - a famous pianist, who was born in this city. - A visit to Łódź Film School where a worldwide known director Roman Polański studied. -Watching murals, including the latest one, dedicated to Arthur Rubinstein. Famous Piotrkowska Street with Avenue of Stars in our “HollyŁódź”. - The monument of Rubinstein’s Piano and the Monument of Industrial Łódź.

-A visit to Manufaktura- the largest shopping, service and entertainment centre in Poland (formerly- Izrael Poznanski’s factory complex).

-Two dance workshops at school. - A common integration disco. - Refreshments- traditional Polish food prepared by parents.

Wednesday, 8th October 2014 - Getting to know the old Polish traditions: a visit to Bolimów- a workshop on cutouts and models made from clay.

-A visit to Primary School no. 4 in Łowicz. Small children from a folk band "Rainbow"dressed in traditional costumes characteristic for Łowicz region presentated folk dances and songs. Children prepared bookmarks with Łowicz cutouts by themselves for our guests.

-A visit to Maurzyce to see the open-air museum with beautiful, rural buildings of the nineteenth century at the background of the Polish “golden autumn”.

Thursday, 9th October 2014 Thursday was devoted to the representative of Romanticism, the greatest Polish composer Frederic Chopin. We organized a trip to Warsaw, where the tour started from the Castle Square at Sigismund's Column. We saw the Barbican, The Old Town Square, Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then we visited an interactive Chopinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum, which captivated our guests.

After lunch we went to the Ĺ azienki Park and admired the Chopin Monument and the Palace on the Water. Beautiful trees, shimmering in different colours, looked splendidly in incredible, sunny weather that accompanied us every day.

Friday, 10th October 2014 Friday was very busy. We had: A coordinators’ meeting. Lesson observations. PPTs: Polish educational system. Polish folk and contemporary music. A workshop: Zumba with a zumba coach. A contest-quiz "Name this tune". Evaluation of the visit, Chronicles’ entries. A dress rehearsal. A gala "M.A.D.E. in POLAND SHOW”: a national dance- the Polonaise. Local bands: TWIX, SING, AGAT performances, a local brilliant music show by Jakub Pawlak.

Presentations of dances of our partner countries, which students learnt during the European Week in Stryków. The girls from six partner countries danced a choreography of MADE DANCE. Common dances were a wonderful climax of cooperation between the students and teachers within our fruitful project.

Certificate ceremony: gifts for the guests: teddy bears, commemorative framed posters, gadgets and promotional materials from the Promotion Department at the Town Hall in Stryków and the Marshal's Office in Łódź. Teachers and students also received a lot of souvenirs: Stryków scarves, mugs, folders, neck-leashes, postcards and pens. At the end we sang the anthem of our M.A.D.E. project. A farewell dinner for teachers in Łódź and the Light Move Festival (Festival of Lights and Illuminations) in Łódź.

OPINIONS ABOUT MADE IN FRANCE Aneta Pęcherczyk: This trip has given me a great opportunity to learn about new culture, customs and people living there. Kindness, warmth and local teachers’ and their pupils’ smile will remain in my memory for a long time. Kasia Cnotalska: The first visit wasn’t too intense, but very valuable when it comes to the exchange of pedagogic experiences between the teachers participating in it. The French we met in Salindres were open, friendly and hospitable.

OPINIONS ABOUT MADE IN SPAIN Olga Sadowska: I don’t think words can express how important and wonderful experience a trip to Spain was. You can learn culture and customs of another country just being with the people living there, listening to them and learning from them. I sincerely hope the students also appreciate this trip. Eryk Kielak: We had very funny moments during the whole week. We spoke only English. I miss everyone. When we had to say goodbye, we were very sad and we cried because we had to finish the best week during the whole year!!!! The project is really wonderful. I’ve been to Spain and I hosted my Spanish and Greek “brothers” in Poland. I miss them so much and I’m still sad when I’m writing this text. But the M.A.D.E. project gave me new friendships and we are planning to see each other again.

Monika Jędrzejczak: With each recollection I’m smiling. I’d like to thank for the opportunity to visit Spain. Magdalena Zasada: I was able to develop my language skills and learn the basics of a new language. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Alicja Jagodzińska: These were the best moments in my life. I’ll never forget this experience for sure! Kasia Cnotalska: It was a very solemn moment when young people sang the anthem of the M.A.D.E. project, which was created three days earlier. In fact, everything we experienced during a visit to Spain was something amazing. We learned how important music and dance are in Valencians’ lives. We got to know a large part of the region and its extremely hospitable, open and warmhearted people. A week stay was a rich educational experience for all of us. I’d like to return to this place again.

OPINIONS ABOUT MADE IN ROMANIA Bartłomiej Majchrzak: I was greeted with regional dishes by the host family. Romania is a beautiful and picturesque country. I’m glad that I could take part in the MADE project because this experience highly raised my level of English proficiency. Bartłomiej Burtka: I remember my stay in Romania very nicely. I’d love to come back there one day. Maciej Kaczmarek: Each day was filled with interesting activities and fun. Weronika Piestrzeniewicz: I remember a trip to Romania very well. All the people in Romania were really friendly and nice. Every

day we were provided with numerous attractions. Wiktoria Miśkiewicz: Romania is a fantastic country. During the tour we saw the sights, visited interesting places, getting to know and integrating with each other all the time.

Kasia Cnotalska: The city of Greek-Dacian and Roman roots, a rich history and sacred buildings, wonderfully situated in the Danube landscape made that you want to return there. Special thanks to incredible personality, a coordinator Dan Zamfir for his steadfastness, vast knowledge of history and interesting program of our meeting. Thank you- Polish students and Ania- for a fantastic Polish show in Romania. Anna Fortuna: Romania- Drobeta- adventure, memories, people, knowledge, beauty, art, culture, friendship. It all combines the Comenius project: beautiful moments I’ll never forget.

OPINIONS ABOUT MADE IN ITALY Katarzyna Cymera: "Fire in the eyes and a smile on a face" - it was an essential element of the project MADE-Pompei. Passion, openness and action guided us throughout our entire stay in Italy. My stay under Vesuvius gave me the opportunity to meet friendly people, know the organization of work of the Italian school, and polishing up the English language. Alicja Supera: Thanks to the project M.A.D.E. I’ve met wonderful people. I hope that despite the distance between us, we’ll keep in contact. During this week my English became better, I learnt a lot of new words in different languages. This project brought many benefits to my life and I’m so happy!

Karolina Pietrasiak: In my opinion MADE project is one of the best things in my life. Thanks to it, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people. I was able to learn a lot of interesting things about other countries. I had the opportunity to learn how people live in other countries. This week was very interesting for me, full of excitement and memorable moments. I would love to experience it again. Kasia Olczak: It was great to be able to cooperate with such nice people. I'm glad I had a chance to take part in this amazing project. Participation in it is just millions of unforgettable memories. I admit that it was hard work but it was also really worth it. Now my English skills are definitely better. With the possibility of working with people from all over Europe I've learnt a lot about their culture, language and traditional food. I've met amazing people who showed me that distance can't destroy any friendship. We're like a big family. I will never forget any moment spent during this project. Although it's about to finish, I know that it's just the beginning. I really can't wait to meet my friends again and I hope it'll happen soon. The only thing I want to say is THANK YOU, MADE!!!

OPINIONS ABOUT MADE IN GREECE Paulina Woźniak: The program gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people who support me in difficult moments. Even the distance separating us is not an obstacle. I got more than I had been expecting. It was wonderful to be part of the project! Alicja Kowalska: Thanks to MADE, we were able to improve our language competences, see how people live in Greece, learn about their customs and traditions. We have expanded our own abilities and practiced our knowledge. For me, MADE is an experience of a lifetime. I’ll never forget what I experienced thanks to it.

Bartek Kwiatkowski: Comenius is an amazing project which brings people together, it’s also an extraordinary experience. I'm sure I will remember it for a long time. I’m very glad I could take part in this visit. Julia Prusinowska: During a five-day trip to Greece, I met wonderful people who, despite the age differences, the origin and a different language, respected me and accepted me without any problems. The Greeks have put in a lot of heart in the project. This project enables us to expand our own abilities and interests. Marta Staniszewska: The Comenius project teaches and develops us, allows us to extend our capabilities and interests. Thanks to it, we get new and valuable acquaintances. It’s amazing that during 5 days you can integrate so well. Marysia Szczerbiak: By participating in the MADE project, I became more self-confident because I didn't believe that I’d ever be able to communicate with people from other countries. Aneta Pęcherczyk: Greece will always remain in my heart! Music, dance, smile, breath-taking views, engagement and unique hospitality are still in my mind and memory. The project is over but we’ve got something which will never disappear…our sincere friendship, amazing experiences and unforgettable moments. One thing is sure...MUSIC is the universal language of mankind which can work miracles!

Kasia Cnotalska: MADE= fruitful cooperation; true friendships; tasty food; unforgettable moments; stunning views; past (traditions), present (people), future (who knows…)