My week in Catalonia (reports from Slovakia)

Feedback to the Catalonian meeting - written by Terezka Trnovská from Slovakia

~~Week in Barcelona – Cornella

 When we arrived to Barcelona, we were looking for a bus. Then we travelled for one hour. A quide took us to a hostel.

 The next day we went to the city centre. I bought some souvenirs. The next day we  took „metro“- subway to Cornella. We had lunch and  went to our school.

My new  roommate Anna Garcia welcomed me there. Together we went home. She has got one sister, her name is Mireia. Anna and Mireia are fourteen years old. They have got a very big house. Anna gave me her room and she sleep on a couch. Her mother´s name is Josefina and father´s name si Paco. They are very friendly and they are a very happy family.

The next day we went to the school and the whole Comenius Project went to a castle. The castle has a nice view of a sea. After the visit we went home.

On Tuesday we went to Sagrada Família. There are colourful window and there is a big cross too. We  walked in the city. There are big houses and oranges grow on the trees. Barcelona is sunny country, there are big palms and nice sea. We took „metro“ to Cornella. Me and Anna too a tram and went home.  At home we had dinner: chicken soup and vegetarian steak. After dinner we played mikado or pexeso

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The next day , on the Wednesday we walked to the mountains. There was a museum in the mountain. In museum we took a photo. My teacher found a shell. We had lunch in front of the church. After lunch we went to school and then home.

On Thursday we went to a tomb and after lunch we went home. At night we had a party and Paco baked a cake for party. On the last day we went home to Slovakia. It was a sad good bye!  

Feedback  written by our teacher Iva Priesolová

~~On 20 March 2015 we have boarded a plane from M. R. Štefánik Airport in Bratislava to Girona–Costa Brava Airport in Spain in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain. We were invided to join the Comenius Project which involves meeting with the partner schools representatives, visiting the most important sights and natural heritage of Barcelona by hiking, as well as presenting our school in the framework of Slovak culture. Barcelona itself, is the capital of Catalonia- a regional part of Spain. It has its own official language- Catalan Sign Language and political autonomy. Barcelona also owns the status of premiere tourist destination which combines original ancient features with modern catalonian style represented mainly by one of the world´s most significant architects and founder of artistic style, so-called  „Modernisme“- Antoni Gaudí, the native of Reus, Catalonia. He is the author of not only the Sagrada Familia, but also Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Gruell Park and Gaudí's Crypt. These are all made in Gaudí´s unique style of constructing the outer facade by ceramic mosaics made of waste pieces so called "trencadís". The unofficial symbol of Catalonia-the lizard or multicolored mosaic salamander can be seen as a popular souvenir in every souvenir shop.

As we arrived by bus in Barcelona from Girona Airport, we went by underground to our short-term residence, a hostel in the suburb of Barcelona. The first day we took a walking along the well-known Rambla from English word „ramble“ meaning walking, hiking, tramping or just walking without any obvious purpose or aim. First thing I have marked was that Catalonian people were great local patriots, there were Catalonian flags almost everywhere! Some of us have bought nice Gaudí-style souvenirs in local souvenir shops which were recomended to us by our tour guide. The next day we met with the coordinator of the hosting  school- Institut Francesc Macià in Cornellá de Llobregat. He took us to the school to meet with the partner families and pupils as well as with the members of the foreign teams.  For the rest of the meeting we stayed in Hotel Novotel in Cornella.

We took a sightseeing tour around Barcelona and visited many interesting places such as the monumental architectonic masterpiece, The Sagrada Familia  Basilica which is an important vista point of the whole Catalania. I was stunned by its beautiful interior and preciously crafted exterior. From the outside, it shows the birth, the life and death of Jesus Christ, depicting the Holy Family, apostles and varios motives from the Bible, such as the adoration of the shepherds and the three kings, the crucifiction of Jesus, the calvary, etc. Antoni Gaudí, the creator of Sagrada Familia was well- known for his admiration of nature and loyalty to spiritual principles and applied these two elements in his creations. We can notice leafy and plant forms interconnected with anthropological motives and figures on the surface of the walls, even in the inside of the building.

The Basilica is still not finished, but according to some sources, there is a corageous vision that  it will be terminated by using 3-D printing technology. Significantly speeding should be thanks to 3D printing , which uses powder -based printing , the layering creates a material similar to plaster. Construction process should greatly help craftsmen to meet demanding specifications and accelerating the generation of complex architectural elements. Gaudí, which is itself the creator of the Sagrada Familia , made several sketches finalized. These, however, highly complex . Fortunately, after his death, he left a geometric surface control system that makes it possible to construct a thumbnail of the whole building . It is being built on the stone model 3D printing , which can be used in the future for the development of design and manufacture. Spanish people would like to finish building inaugurated in 2026 on the anniversary of 100 years since the death of the famous architect. Let´s hope they will succeed.

Another very powerful experience was visiting Mount Montserrat, a sacred place radiating peace and majesty, a place of religious importance for all believers. It offered us a spectacular mountain views of Catalona and we all felt really astonished by varieties of landforms, from sharp humangeous rocks to rounded sea-washed by monoliths. After hiking, we stopped to enjoy the mass in Montserrat Monastery which is famous for its boy´s choir. There was a possibility to take a funicular the way down, but we managed it by feet, it would be a pity to use a cable way!

We spent one week in Barcelona, but it wouldn´t be enough to see everything this city offers to see. I will keep those picaresque alleys in my mind hoping I will visit them once again..

Mind maps

In the wood

In the country

Wild Animals

Hiking

Sport

7-language International Dictionary

7-language International Dictionary

Report from Italy

Report from Italy
At first we travelled by plane to the airport in Milan Bergamo and there we were picked up by the bus driver of minibus. We arrived to the hotel San Felice. It is about 25 km from the city Verona in Illasi town. We had pizza in hotel. Next day we met with the teachers and pupils from the hosting school in Tregnago.
After lunch in good restaurant we had easy trekking in Tregnago. At the evening me and  another boy from Romania were picked up by my family. They live in a house far from Tregnago in mountains. I thought they live at the end of the world without internet and with problematic signal. It was little bit shocking for me because I live in the city. On Wednesday me and my Slovak friends were presented our presentation about Devínska Kobyla near Bratislava and we sang 2 songs. In the afternoon we went for easy trekking to Mount S.Pietro, were we could see the pistonieries. On next day  we went to Alps. There were very beautiful view. In family it was better today. They are nice people. Their father is cool guy, mum is funny and with Elena and her brother Tommaso we had a lot of fun. We played games at evening and we went to Giazza for pizza. I think the best for me were the visits of Venezia and Verona. I could visit a lot of beautiful churches – Basilica in Venezia, Tower in Venezia. I saw canals with gondolas, shops full of souvenirs and masks. I bought magnets and mask. At last day I said goodbye with  my hosting family and they gave me some presents typical for their region. I miss them and I am happy to meet so good people like them. It was unbelievable experience for me to visit northern part of this beautiful country Italy.
Nikita Meršenko  Bratislava, Slovakia

Hiking in German Language

Dictionaries by Marta Rovná

Link here.

Posters

Lightning first aid

Some more games

2 games for pupils

Crosswords

Hrady Castles (Bratislava Region)

Hrady Castles (Bratislava Region)

Poster for the meeting in Romania

Mind maps on first aid

Word assocation game on the topic Hiking

Word assocation game on the topic Hiking

Instuctions:

This game is based on the principle to write in the middle of the game field a word, in our case "hiking" and students´ task is to create association words. As an example of this activity is e.g. mind map, where in the centre is  the word hiking and round this words are associated similar words like - rucksack, jack-knife, rope, compass, mushrooms, etc. This game is suitable as a main activity for younger pupils and as a warming up  activity for older students. Older students can join this activity with ICT and can work with mind mapping program.

Snake bite treatment

1. DON´T PANIC

2. CONTACT A HERPEOLOGIST, A  TOXICOLOGIST AND TAKE A PICTURE OF THE  SNAKE

Pictures from Poland by Marta Rovna

Inspiration for quiz by Marta Rovna

1. Draw a tourist sign for a  hostel
2. Draw a tourist sign for a hotel
3. Draw a tourist sign for a camp
4. Describe the guidelines for the first aid after lightning strike for a man
5. Describe the guidelines  for the first aid and snake bite treatment
6. Draw a tourist sign for  a ruin of  a castle
7. Draw a tourist sign for a church
8. Draw a tourist sign for  a restaurant
9. Draw a tourist sign for a mountain rescue service station
10. Draw a tourist sign for a culture curiosity
11. Draw a tourist sign for a natural curiosity
12. Draw a tourist sign for a cave
13. Draw a tourist sign for a waterfall
14. Draw a tourist sign for a chasm (abyss)
15. Draw a tourist sign for a state border
16. Draw a tourist sign for a swamp
17. Draw a tourist sign for a mineral water spring
18. Name the cardinal points
19. Name the basic material and technical equipment of a  tourist for hiking
20. What is the difference between hiking and trekking?
21. Name at least one mountain in each project partner country.
22. Name the basic rules for the movement and stay in the nature

See activities here.

Hiking Vocabulary English-Slovak

Hiking Vocabulary English-Slovak

The project "Together....we make the way" from the point of view of some crosscutting issues

Multicultural education 

Students of all ages are becoming increasingly common in private and public life exposure to different cultural influence and increasingly bring them into contact with members of other cultures. Therefore, it is necessary to be ready for these challenges and to be able to recognize, respect and promote various cultural anchors in your area. The aim of cross-cutting themes multicultural education is therefore education and educational work aimed at developing knowledge of various traditional and new cultures and subcultures, acceptance of cultural diversity as a social reality and the development of tolerance, respect and pro-social behavior and action in relation to cultural differences. Students get to know their culture and other cultures, history, customs and traditions of their representatives, shall respect the culture as equivalent to their members can communicate and cooperate constructively. The project "Together we make the way" is also education for tolerance to other nations and combating prejudices against other cultures and nations. Students are accommodated during the mobility of the host families (schools) and have the opportunity to personally meet customs, traditions, relationships and daily rituals of ordinary families. Students gain self-image as a normal family in another partner country to form your own opinion unencumbered superstitions and prejudices. They make their own judgment based on personal experience.

Sustainable environment 

The aim of cross-cutting themes sustainable environment is to contribute to the personal development of the pupil so that the knowledge, skills and abilities into the ability to understand, analyze and evaluate the relationship between man and his environment based on knowledge of the laws governing life on earth. The mission of the project "Together we make the way" is also to develop cooperation in the protection and creation of the environment at local, regional and international levels to promote a proactive approach to the creation and protection of the environment through practical training, foster a sense of responsibility in relation to living organisms and their environment, foster a sense of responsibility in relation to a healthy lifestyle and to perceive aesthetic values ​​of the environment, the ability to perceive and sensitive approach to nature and the natural and cultural heritage; deepen, develop and consolidate the value system in favor of proceeding to the environment.

Media Education

The project "Together .... we make the way "also affects media education as a cross-cutting theme and is an opportunity for students and teachers to develop the skills to apply strategies competent treatment of different types of media and their products and development capabilities meaningfully, critically and selectively use media and their products. The project is to present the preliminary results of the project at local and regional level through mass media. Students and teachers will be performing on radio and television, write articles about project activities undertaken in printed media.

The personal and social development. 

The project "Together ... we make the way "contribute to a comprehensive student personal growth and development of life skills. The application of this cross-cutting theme is creating an environment to promote individuality and self-confidence of the pupil on the one hand and the development of a sense of society based on equality and tolerance on the other. The purpose of the application of cross-cutting themes of personal and social development of pupils is directed towards understanding themselves and others, to the acquisition of positive attitudes toward themselves and others, to the management of their own behavior, to the formation of good interpersonal relationships in the classroom and beyond, to develop the basic skills of communication and cooperation, to acquire basic social skills to deal with different situations, the acceptance of different types of people, ideas, approaches to problem solving, application of the basic principles of a healthy lifestyle and non-risky behavior in everyday life.

The traffic education. 

The project "Together ... we make the way "addresses the issues of transport and logistics education. The role of traffic education in the project is to gradually prepare children for independent use of different types of vehicles. Students gain experience with air, train or bus and familiar at the same time the principles of the use of these modes in terms of safety.

Protection of life and health

The project "Together ... we make the way "also pays attention to the protection of human health and Protection of human life and its integrated health attitudes, knowledge and skills of students to protect the life and health in emergency situations. Similarly, when you stay and movement in nature, which may arise due to unforeseen factors threatening the man and his surroundings. The aim is to prepare each individual to live in an environment in which it is located. The prerequisite for this is constantly learning through movement and the outdoors. The content of cross-cutting theme Preserve life and health, among other things, is medical training and movement and stay in the nature. 

Regional Education

The project "Together ... we make the way“ gives space for the application of cross-cutting themes Regional Education. Through this cross-cutting theme are enabled pupils to create conditions for them to grow and develop feeling the beauty of their region, nature, architecture, folk art and exploring the cultural heritage of our ancestors. Educational activities in the project is targeted to students in regional education know the history and culture of their own village, town, as well as its flora and fauna, also understand the importance of conservation, forests, water, fauna and explore and get to know the natural beauty and attractions region where they live. Students and teachers in the project attending emblazoned with legends and mountains below.

Project creation and presentation skills

Cross-cutting theme develops pupils' competence so that they know - communicate, argue, use the information and work with them to solve problems, work in groups, presenting himself as well as group work. The objectives and content of cross-cutting theme is part of several subjects. The main objective is that students work through their own organizations learn to manage themselves, thereby, develop a schedule of their work, obtain the necessary information to process them, did you find the problems to be addressed, their proper name, form a hypothesis and check it out below . Through the project activities, the students learn how to present their work in writing and verbally, using information and communication technology.

The project "Together....we make the way“ from the point of view of drug prevention and effective spending leisure

The project "Together ...........we make the way” offers positive alternatives for leisure time and also information on the principles of effective leisure.

The issue – what is the best way of spending leisure time is very topical. Especially in children and adolescents recent developments leisure-time activities are not very positive. Young people are passive, they live consumer life style. Leisure and fulfilling by its positive activities plays an important role in shaping young people especially in the positive socialization and prevention of common and socially undesirable phenomena that pose significant health, social and economic risk. 

It is concerning the issue of violence, bullying, truancy, various drug addictions, alcoholism, smoking, crime, delinquency, vandalism, pathological gambling, as well as expressions of xenophobia, racism, intolerance and the like.

The project " Together....... we make the way" from the point of view of enhanced language training students

The project "Together we make the way" offers tremendous scope for improving communication skills of students in the English language, but also provides space for exploring the native languages ​​of the partner schools.

The general objective of teaching foreign languages ​​through this international project funded under the Lifelong Learning Programme - Comenius subprogram is designed to stimulate pupils' interest in foreign languages​​,create a basis for further language learning, students develop communication competence in the mother tongue and foreign, to promote all-round development of students: cognitive (the ability to train students to perceive and remember, systematic language practice activities receptive and productive manner), social, emotional, personal, develop intercultural competence, to develop all language activities: listening comprehension, speaking, gradually inserted reading comprehension and writing, use of cross-curricular.

In terms of social objectives we expect among pupils in particular these benefits of the project: a student learns to accept himself as part of the group, will be able to apply mutual consideration, meaningful work with a partner, accept belonging to the group, deliberately extended phase concentration and participating time at the language activities, also to help teach another, encourage them, will be able to recognize and accept joint responsibility, accept the majority decision, know to adapt and flourish, borrow something, ask for something, apologize, recognize and accept mistakes ; learn to tolerate lost, take responsibility for themselves.