www.comenius-tof.eu              

Project Aims

• For pupils to learn in a fun way about the lives of pupils in other countries through games and role-play
• For pupils to communicate with pupils in other countries by various means such as new technology, art, language, drama
• For pupils to explore and compare ways of handling difficult social situations
• For pupils, staff and  school communities to have greater knowledge and understanding of European countries and citizenship
• For pupils and staff to gain basic knowledge of common words and phrases of the languages of the participating schools

Expected Impacts

• Pupils and staff to acquire knowledge and understanding of lifestyles, culture, ideas and opinions of pupils in different countries
• Pupils to have experience of playing new and traditional/established games of other countries and of designing and creating their own ‘homeland’ games
• Pupils to experience democracy through sharing ideas and opinions, problem-solving and taking part in elections and voting procedures e.g. project logo, evaluation of created games / traditional games
• Pupils and staff to be more confident when using new technology
• Pupils and staff to know common words and phrases in the languages of the countries involved in the project and to communicate with greater confidence in English
• Pupils, staff and the school communities to gain more knowledge and understanding of other European nations and European citizenship

Activities

• Elections
• Creating train tickets, cards, posters
• Research co-operative games
• Create original ‘homeland’ games
• Role-playing and acting/ miming social situations
• Quizzes, competitions
• Designing, drawing and writing
• Communicating through use of e-mail/ videos/ art/ photographs/drama
• Evaluation of own work and that of others
• School exhibitions of work and exhibition in local community e.g library
• Create project website
• Produce commemorative ‘Project’ booklet

End Products

Project logo and website

Train tickets, greeting cards, posters

Videos of games/ drama

‘Homeland’ games

Project exhibitions in participating schools and in local communities

Commemorative Project booklet

Project Evaluation

The co-ordinator will check that all planned activities take place according to the agreed timetable. Progress will be discussed and evaluated at termly staff meetings in every school. Evaluation will also be an integral part of all project planning meetings. Pupils’ opinions will be collected and collated formally through questionnaires at the end of every school year but pupils’ ideas and opinions will form a vital and integral part continuously throughout the development of the project.

Dissemination

Information about the project will be disseminated through school newsletters, schools and project website, exhibitions in schools and public places and through the media eg newspapers.

Specific Measures to be taken

·        Care will be taken when planning activities to make sure that they meet the needs and interests of all the pupils  and to ensure that pupils of  different ages and abilities, including those with special educational needs are able to participate.  

·        There will be equal opportunities for  staff and pupils regardless of gender.

·        The project aims to enhance participants understanding of national identities – similarities and differences -  and to promote European and world citizenship.

·        The project will include schools from socially and economically disadvantaged areas

Role of Participating Institutions

All schools will have equal responsibilities for the smooth-running and progress of the project. All schools will take part in all activities.The co-ordinator will remind schools of agreed deadlines.

Information and Communication Technologies

The use of ICT is an integral part of the project. Regular use will be made of e-mail to communicate by pupils and staff. The project will also involve the use of digital cameras, camcorders, websites, internet, videos.

Active Participation of Pupils

Pupils will have an active role in decision-making and will be expected to develop their  own creative and original ideas. They will evaluate their own progress and compare their efforts with that of others. The aim is for the pupils to enjoy the activities and to enjoy being part of the project – this will be monitored and pupils’ opinions will continuously be sought and considered throughout the project. 

Integration of project into the school curriculum

This project will enrich and extend our existing school curricula, especially in the areas of geography, language, art, design and technology, information technology, personal and social education  and citizenship. Project activities will be integrated into class lessons.