We learn for life Erasmus Project

Project Title

We learn for life

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Romas and/or other minorities; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

The project “Learning for Life” brought together three schools that struggle with the problems of social inclusion of pupils every day. Strategic partnerships between schools in Slovakia, Poland and Hungary were created to share good practice. It focused on the implementation of Kedvesház pedagogy in teaching both general education and cross-curricular themes. Kedvesház pedagogy was created in an environment of socially disadvantaged pupils. It had been shown that its practices lead to the elimination of early school leaving and to the increase of the school success of the target group of pupils, and consequently to the achievement of better education and better employment in the labour market. The project also aimed at enriching that pedagogy with the regional-cultural context of each partner country. At the three planned joint meetings in Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, the pupils and teachers of the partner schools shared good practice through joint open learning, followed by analysis and discussion. The project also aimed to inform the general public about its results and progress. Students realised tasks in different fields (maths, science, English, physical education, music) to show them that we learn for all our life. The materials were presented in English which also developed students’ language competencies. Interesting mathematical and science problems gave an opportunity to teach through creativity and fun and encourage those students with dyslexia, dysorthographia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia to search for solutions to mathematical, science problems. Seeing students in sport (dancing, swimming, cycling or running) in action rather than working from a textbook improved their understanding and use of different skills and helped them to learn to use them in everyday life. Disguising Mathematics through riddles, mini projects, competition, games and other interesting tasks improved their attitude and motivation for the subjects. This project helped them to realize how useful and rewarding group work can be and develop their confidence in sharing ideas and knowledge with others and overcoming difficulties in a joint effort. It not only increased the students’ acquaintance with Mathematics, science but helped them develop their social and communication skills. This aspect was especially important in view of the disadvantaged students who are often inhibited and needed much more encouragement to take part in group activities. Using a foreign language for a specific purpose was a good chance to overcome language barriers and cultural differences. The profession of teaching is one of the most interesting and demanding professions in the world. Working with children and seeing their progress of learning was fascinating, but providing learning and bringing in social skills requires a lot of preparation and patience. With the changing educational insights in the world, the concept of teaching varies significantly day by day and requires continuous self-development. Experiencing different educational events and different implementations in other institutions expands teachers’ horizons of teaching and increases their professional and personal development. This partnership also supported the professional improvement of teachers by exchanging educational ideas and experiences amongst colleagues from different countries. These activities had taken place: 1) we presented our project for school and public 2) logos creation 3) competitions 4) website 5) puzzle of logos- towns 5) meeting in Slovakia 6) boards at schools 7) Christmas cards 8) Maths – games 9) competition – science in life 10) meeting in Hungary 11) Charity work 12) Meeting in Poland 13) exhibitions 14) international songs – e book. This project was seen as the beginning of strategic cooperation between the partner schools that shared procedures for solving educational and other school problems. In the long term, we will work together to develop a methodology for educating pupils of marginalized groups that have their own specificities. The right pedagogical approach could facilitate social inclusion, by providing education and the right motivation not to stop school attendance too early. We committed ourselves to long-term cooperation in this topic through the cooperation agreement in good practice exchange. Cooperation will continue to deepen; knowledge and competence in the thematic line of the project will improve. By implementing the methodology in everyday teaching our pupils will benefit permanently from the project implementation and partnership.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 36320 Eur

Project Coordinator

Zakladna skola Chminianske Jakubovany 270 & Country: SK

Project Partners

• Szkola Podstawowa nr.1 im.Kazimierza Wielkiego
• Szent Anna Katolikus Általános Iskola