Learning Exchange to IcelandThe 4th learning exchange took place in October when teachers from all of the partner schools visited Leirvogstunguskóli in Mosfaellsbaer, Iceland.
The group were welcomed in song by the wonderful students and later got to meet many of them in the playground. The team explored the themes of Family and Clothing and shared best practices in the teaching of mathematics in Early Childhood classes. As part of an informal Teachmeet there was an exploration of the teaching of reading and writing in each partner country. This led to a very productive exchange of philosophies and ideas on this subject. The group received a formal welcome to the Mosfellsbaer region by the mayor and they presented him with a framed picture. A highlight of the week was a presentation from Kristin Einarsdottir, the founder of the 'Play to Learn More' method. This was a practical workshop and all participants gained a greater understanding of the potential for learning in the PTLM methodology. As well as the working exchanges the team got to experience the stunning scenery of the Iceland and to try some of their more unusual food! Huge thanks to the team from Leirvogstunguskóli for their warm welcome and the enormous effort in making the week such as success. Takk fyrir! |
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Project Mascot and Logo Winners
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At the exchange in Spain there was high tension as the votes were counted to choose our project logo and mascot. The winning mascot was designed by the team in Colegio El Pilar but such was the quality of the second placed entry it was decided to use both! They will travel from country to country and be used to help students learn about our partners.
The logo competition proved to be just as difficult to select a winner as after 3 rounds of voting there were still 3 entries tied for first place All teachers had voted so it was decided to let a class of students vote to choose the winner. In the end an entry from the Irish school was chosen. This logo will now be used for all project correspondence. |
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Short Term Teacher Exchange - Spain
The second teacher exchange of the Erasmus+ project ‘Learn to Play, Play to Learn’ was held in Colegio Salesiano El Pilar, Soto del Real from Jan 29th - February 3rd, 2017.
The exchange began with an assembly in the school. The group were formally welcomed by the headmaster and the Parents Association and then treated to a performance of music and dance from students of the elementary school. The group then travelled to meet the mayor of Soto del Real who welcomed the group and gave them a short presentation on the local area. In the afternoon the group gathered to discuss the progress of the project and the themes to be utilised in the coming months were developed thoroughly.
The second day of the exchange coincided with the feast day of Don Bosco, patron saint of the school so teachers participated in various activities through the school. Afterwards the group judged the entries for the mascot and logo competition. The winning logo was designed by the Irish partner and will feature on the project website and all future project communications. The mascot for the project was designed by the Spanish partner and will be used in project promotion as well as a number of learning activities. In the afternoon the group travelled to Madrid for a formal meeting with the Chairperson of the Education Council of Madrid. At the meeting the details of the project were outlined and the group were given a very informative presentation on the organisation and work of the Educational Council.
Wednesday saw the group participate in a cultural activity, visiting the historical city of Toledo.
On Thursday the day began with a presentation from the Spanish coordinator outlining the model of Cooperative Learning which is a core component of the educational methodology used in the school. Following the presentation the group visited a variety of classrooms to see the methodology in practice. The group spent the afternoon working on a number of elements of the project. Each country presented a number of traditional playground games. These will be shared with students in all the partner countries. A representative of each country then gave an outline of resources which will be shared between partner countries to help develop themes over the coming months. Then a Teachmeet was held where participants made short presentations to their peers. A Teachmeet is an organised (but informal) meeting where participants give short presentations on any aspect of education. The theme selected by the Spanish coordinator was ‘Good Beginnings’ and the focus was on activities used by class teachers to begin the school day.
On Friday the coordinator gave a presentation of the Scratch programming language to relevant teachers and two 5th grade classes. Teachers also visited the school kindergarten.
The entire week proved very successful with excellent participation by all partners. Huge thanks are due to the elementary school principal, Spanish coordinator and all the Spanish project team for their huge effort in the organisation of a very productive exchange.
The exchange began with an assembly in the school. The group were formally welcomed by the headmaster and the Parents Association and then treated to a performance of music and dance from students of the elementary school. The group then travelled to meet the mayor of Soto del Real who welcomed the group and gave them a short presentation on the local area. In the afternoon the group gathered to discuss the progress of the project and the themes to be utilised in the coming months were developed thoroughly.
The second day of the exchange coincided with the feast day of Don Bosco, patron saint of the school so teachers participated in various activities through the school. Afterwards the group judged the entries for the mascot and logo competition. The winning logo was designed by the Irish partner and will feature on the project website and all future project communications. The mascot for the project was designed by the Spanish partner and will be used in project promotion as well as a number of learning activities. In the afternoon the group travelled to Madrid for a formal meeting with the Chairperson of the Education Council of Madrid. At the meeting the details of the project were outlined and the group were given a very informative presentation on the organisation and work of the Educational Council.
Wednesday saw the group participate in a cultural activity, visiting the historical city of Toledo.
On Thursday the day began with a presentation from the Spanish coordinator outlining the model of Cooperative Learning which is a core component of the educational methodology used in the school. Following the presentation the group visited a variety of classrooms to see the methodology in practice. The group spent the afternoon working on a number of elements of the project. Each country presented a number of traditional playground games. These will be shared with students in all the partner countries. A representative of each country then gave an outline of resources which will be shared between partner countries to help develop themes over the coming months. Then a Teachmeet was held where participants made short presentations to their peers. A Teachmeet is an organised (but informal) meeting where participants give short presentations on any aspect of education. The theme selected by the Spanish coordinator was ‘Good Beginnings’ and the focus was on activities used by class teachers to begin the school day.
On Friday the coordinator gave a presentation of the Scratch programming language to relevant teachers and two 5th grade classes. Teachers also visited the school kindergarten.
The entire week proved very successful with excellent participation by all partners. Huge thanks are due to the elementary school principal, Spanish coordinator and all the Spanish project team for their huge effort in the organisation of a very productive exchange.