Fairytales cross European borders Erasmus Project

Project Title

Fairytales cross European borders

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

The project enabled the participants to improve the fluency and proficiency in foreign and mother tongue language, both oral and written, using innovative methods of story telling. A various number of people were able to take part in the project. Teachers, parents as well as students. They improved basic skills as they communicated with each other using a variety of multi media tools and foreign lanuages. Typical Fairytales from all European partner countries have been the basis.
All partner schools involved in the project have shared their expertise by giving workshops to the other teachers.
The first organisational meeting was in Konya, Turkey in November 2017.
The teacher trainings were held as follows:
1. “Talk for writing”. This workshop took part in Bucarest, Romania in February 2018. The Romanian, German and Danish teachers showed several methods to help children to internalise the pattern of language required and develop and improve reading and writing skills. Due to foldables, movements, games and challenges the children can be motivated to imitate the key language they need for a particular topic orally before they try reading and analysing it.
2. “ICT and the use of digital media in education”. During the meeting in Heralkion, Greece, in May 2018 the Greek, Polish and Turkish teachers taught different media tools to be used in lessons or for preparations. For example: Weebly, Quiver, Beebot, Space 4D.
3. “The benefits of Montessori method” was organised in Stettin, Poland, in November 2018. The German, Polish and Danish teachers gave overviews of materials and methods of teaching after Maria Montessori.
4. “Story mapping and drama for language acquisition” was held in Kopenhagen, Denmark in March 2019. The Greek, Italian and Romanian teachers prepared workshops of using drama in lessons.
5. “A reading class” took part in Francavilla al mare, Italy, in May 2019. The French and Romanian collegues held workshops of several methods to teach reading.
Each participating school implemented the most convenient methods in the classroom in their native language, for older students as well in foreign languages. All partners chose typical local fairytales which were shared with the partners. So the different European fairytales spread into other countries.
The project work implemented existing methods, developed them further and incorporated them in a bigger system. We developed a model for how to improve language learning in our schools for children with different needs. On top of that every country shared their expertise and teachers also shared current educational researches from their country.
All pupils firstly learned to tell a story orally, initially in their mother tongue. They walked through the story, drew pictures and used actions and drama to tell a story. Pupils got to know the structure of the story very well using actions in addition to words. They began to tell the story in a foreign language, using the same actions to help them. Older pupils transfered the story to print and film, all to be shared on the project and schools website. Pupils shared their work and performed with each other using Emails, presentations, letters or videos.
Germany, Poland and Romania brought students to some of the mobilities. Due to that experience the children had to communicate in foreign languages, they learned about the different cultures and they visited the schools of the host country.
After learning to retell many fairytales, pupils innovated and wrote their own stories, sharing on film, in performances and in print, with other pupils and parents. All outcomes were shared between the partners, on E-twinning as well as schools and project website.
This project improved language and second language skills acquisition, communication in mother tongue language and second language and equipped pupils with the skills needed for them to realise their potential and to play a full part in the Europe of the future. Pupils increased fluency in their mother tongue and a foreign language, improved basic skills in ICT, communication, music and writing. Teachers increased confidence, have learned new language teaching skills and long term partnerships between pupils, teachers and families have developed.
Both, pupils and teachers, gained an understanding and tolerance of other cultures and a deeper understanding of educational systems in Europe.
Unfortunately due to Corona virus the last two meetings in France and Germany could not take place. We used digital tools like E-twinning or online meetings to stay in contact during this time.
As the cooperation was very high quality some of the partners (Germany, Romania, Greece, Denmark and Italy) applied for another continuative Erasmus+ project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 249880,65 Eur

Project Coordinator

Benjamin Schule & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Colegiul German Goethe
• 6th Primary School of Heraklion
• Sct. Joseph Søstrenes Skole
• Istituto Comprensivo F.Masci
• école maternelle les Jardins VEDENE
• Pierwsza Szkoła Podstawowa Montessori Bona Ventura w Szczecinie
• EEI INFANTIL EL CASTELLÓN