Erasmus+ for Enrichment class 2015-2016

Reduce Reuse Recycle – joy of learning

SIS is part of a project that includes seven schools in Europe from north to south and from east to west Sweden, Poland, Rumania, Czech Republica, France, Spain and Turkey. The project is supported by Erasmus+. The theme of the project is the use of resources.  How we actually can reduce our 'throwaway' mentality! How we can open our eyes to the fact that we borrow from our next generation by making use of more than we give back of our natural environment. A bleak subject, it may seem. But it's never too late to give up - so why do it now? So what is likely for us involved to actually implement in everyday life of school - You are in charge owning your development through a creative project within enrichment. It is based on the desire to do. Wanting to change! and the feeling that it makes a difference! Some of the students in the enrichment group will go on a field trip to France in December and some might go to Turkey next year. I will be there to support your ideas and you will also be able to go on a field trip to either France or Turkey to share your ideas with students from the other schools. Below are the units of work you can chose to work with.

•       evaluate how you can reduce packaging waste in your home- golden rules;
•       biodiversity tour to know what biodiversity is and why it is important;
•       choose one species and prepare migration maps;
•       create ’green’ tour guides
•       plant a tree - a day against deforestation - small actions can make a big impact
•       forest day celebration or other themes for celebration
•       identify non-native or invasive species in your local environment, research and observe the effects of non-native species on native species
•       identify and research species and the natural history of a local hiking trail, park or natural area
•       project to make a school garden or adopt a park
•       organize an environmental day for others teens (series of workshops) to discuss local environmental issues
•       organize competition of poetry about project theme

Now the question is how many students feel they want to use their enrichment time for this purpose, I have to wait and see.

Students reflection on the visit to Stockholm

Have you ever been to Sweden? No? We would probably not plan to have vacation in Scandinavian countries in the coming years. After all, the Nordic countries are not as sought-after destination for holiday. But thanks to the Erasmus + KA2 focus on ecology, where our school participated, we got this opportunity and for 8 days we visited the Kingdom of Sweden.

Our journey has given us a lot of useful experience. Not only in terms of activities where we worked at a local international school, like other foreign students from Poland, France, Spain, Romania and Turkey. The very next day after our arrival in Stockholm together we visited the oldest museum in the world and met with Swedish history. Admitted north in completely different colors and has an unshakable tour that just at the time of our stay, the city passed the royal family. Since we were in the right time at the right place, with our own eyes we saw a monarchy.

Activities and experiences were countless, even though we sucked the atmosphere Stockholm glamorous life, even at home, we will absorb the charged days.

And most of us were really unusual to the local weather. But soon we become accustomed to Nordic conditions It was extraordinary to have 8 days in Sweden but we have had not only the time there, but the road itself to the goal.

 Written by Nela Přádková, Elizabeth Bechná

A Theatre Production

In the school year 2014/2015, the Stockholm International School (SIS) had the pleasure to take part of professional knowledge straight from the artistic field in collaboration with students and teachers.

SIS is unique in its kind in Sweden when evaluating drama as a subject by itself from grade 6-10. This project has been implemented with funds from mainly Creative School grants but also the EU funds through the Erasmus+ which SIS during 2014/2017 included a partnership with six other schools in Europe.

The project's theme, Reduce, reuse, recycle - Joy of Learning, has inspired both artists and students in problem solving and creative thinking. We began to use reduced material, tried to reuse it from other subjects and will recycle as much as possible and hopefully all of us will contribute to a more sustainable society in perpetuity. Joy of learning is a constant companion in the subject drama. The method is based on the group's motivation and the techniques in drama are based on the individual needs of tools to master the meaningful aesthetic expression. These experiences will participants carry with them throughout their lives.

The abilities developed in drama are demanded in today's communicative society based on interplay. In drama, we have fun, but in a serious way.

Why The Wizard of Oz?

SIS is an international school with over 60 nationalities that are taught according to the IB's vision, based on everyone's uniqueness which enriches  everyones common experience and the environment. All are equal!

In this story about the young one who is longing for something far away, and the old one who tries to fool his way around being someone else catch all our attention.

Important issues without alluding to any special religion or cultural rite.

The triad of heart, brain and power in the form of courage are the important aspects of being human that we all can relate to even though in this story it is illustrated by a scarecrow, a lion and a tin man.

The main character, come to an important realization! The creative process of a production work of this kind is aching is way forward. What the audience got to experience with us was the ultimate reward – a  theatre play performance which was filmed and can be seen on youtube.    

https://youtu.be/zOa5vysriRY

https://youtu.be/jfBRc0GIkY0

https://youtu.be/pYLpIPQur9c

Answers from teachers survey on the visit in Stockholm

Teachers: 9 (19)

3. Have you imporved your language skills in any way?

1 -

2 no,

6 yes

4. If yes give examples, if no try to describe why not

Because I haven’t used English much.

I’m able to talk to foreigne people.

Daily life.

Improvising, speaking to people.

We are better in use of English (spoken English) more self-confident, more talkative.

Comenius projects activities.

I have improved my grammar skills.

Some teachers do not speak English well or they don’t feel like talking to each other, which is pretty sad.

What has been working well with this visit?

Spending time with the other partners, Discovering different habits (everyday life, teaching) the water cleaning plant was impressive.

Workshops, guided tours.

Yes,

The visit to historical places, workshops, activities at school.

Accomodation, food, organisation, cleaning factory tour, flexibility of our host’s teachers.

Everything.

Sigthseeing, teamwork.

What areas would you like to improve for next meeting?

The costs.

I’d like to have had a wellcome party on the first or second day so that the students could have had a better opportunity to socialize.

I’d like a welcoming party so we can know one another. I think we should have had more meetings with Swedish students.

I would prefered we have been forced to mingle from the first moment.

Team building activities and the beginning, communication with children from the host country, more common activities for everybody because of communication.

Everything was perfect.

Everything went well! We got to know a lillte bit about Swedish history and culture.

Our students should do more activities together including talking, playing games, spending free time not only with your country but internationally.

Any other suggestions you may have for our project?

5 -  No

Making common creations (books …) Meet more Swedish teaters & pupils.

In the future I think that we need to do more activities with children from the early beginning.  They need to know each oter, and we can mix them during activities or meals.

More recycling activities.

Planting trees, collecting waste.

More activities for the students with the opportunity to speak English, the students should have stayed in Swedish houses, not in a hotel.

What have you learnt when visiting Sweden?

Beautiful large space, a water place, strange night light (but beautiful) Impressive buildings. Calm people.

Swedish history, culture, tradition, how Swedish people recycle water.

Some culture.

You as a country and people are very good for environment and I like it.

I’ve learnt about culture, traditions, history etc.

Better knowledge of Swedish culture, life style, to be more open to minorities.

Teamwork.

I found out things about Sami history and Swedish culture. I observed the way of living of the Swedish people.

I have learnt quite a lot about Swedish culture and customs, I love ‘fika’ : )

Students enjoying games in Stockholm

Answers from students on the survey of Stockholm visit

Survey for Stockholm visit Erasmus+ June 1-7  - 2015

Students: 21

2. If you are a student how old are you?

12, 15, 12, -, 14, 13, 12, 13, 11, 14, 13, 14, 14, 15, 14, 15, 15, 16, 15, 15, 15

3. Have you imporved your language skills in any way?

Yes 20

No 1

4. If yes give examples, if no try to describe why not

3 - In pronouncing and understanding.

Cause we didn’t need to speak English our teachers did it.

2 - I can understand well.

Vocabulary, It is easier to make sentences.

Speaking to other people.

I can speak with my Frech friends.

Common project activities.

I have improved my grammar skills and completed my vocabulary. I became better at speaking in public.

I have improved my grammar skills and my language.

I speak English with other studnets from another country.

2 - When we were talking with people here on Erasmus+ with Swedish people during presentation.

Because I have to listen English and speak English to survive, I know some new vocabulary.

Because I have understood all the people of different countries.

Because I try to understand the people when they speak.

Because I hear talk to persons in English and I understand.

What has been working well with this visit?

Visits and shopping, spending time with friends, discovering Sweden.

The days in the school playing.

3 - Visits and shopping, spending time with friends, discovering Sweden, discovering Sweden.

6 - Everything was perfect (or well).

The King castle visit, Being and meeting friends.

There was few occasions to spel to other people.

I have improved my language.

We got to know a little bit about Stockholm, we learned about the history and culture of Sweden.

2 - That we tried to speak English for a longer time then in our countries.

The activities.

Hotel, som many places to visit, games, organisators, something about Swedish traditions and life.

The downtown.

2 – Turism.

What areas would you like to improve for next meeting?

4 - Walk less.

I wont be here in the next meeting.

Maybe the hotel and dishes.

I think the hotel.

2 - Hotel

I don’t know, I liked it like it was.

I would like to talk to people who know English well.

Nothing, it was amazing and very interesting.

Nothing.

I don’t want to improve anything for next meeting, because I like how it is now.

2 -Better way to communicate among other countries students.

More communication between students, games were we meet themselves.

Speak more.

Socialisation with others.

Speak with persons.

Any other suggestions you may have for our project?

3 - More craft activity.

2 - I would like to do gardening activities.

Collecting waste, planting trees.

2 - No I do really not have other suggestions.

No I don’t have, because this project it’s amazing.

Make teams where is one student from each country.

Try to speak more English with the students.

What have you learnt when visiting Sweden?

3 -There are good music bands.

The weather, the food.

4 - I have learnt Sweden history.

Many little things, there is a king in Sweden and schools are different.

I have learnt about other cultures.

I’ve learnt that Sweden is amazing. I know now how to recycle and how to protect the nature.

I have learnt how to fuse glass and stump bottles. I found our things about Sami history and Swdish culture. I observed the way of living of the Swedish people.

I have learnt how to make glass and that Stockholm is amazing and that a day can be never ending.

I’ve learnt that Sweden is amazing. We have to destroy the pollution. I know now how to recycle and how to protect the nature.

2 – That you don’t have to speak in the same language when you want to talk with people.

Something about Swedish tradition and life, making beautiful things from fabric, how water gets cleaner, Swedish games.

2 - More English.

Other culture and English.