ACTION-Small Steps to a Better World Erasmus Project

Project Title

ACTION-Small Steps to a Better World

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Health and wellbeing; Teaching and learning of foreign languages

Project Summary

This quote by Nelson Mandela gives us the inspiration to apply for Erasmus funding:
“Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, the greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth who care and protect our people.”
Everyone wants the best for their children. However, with climate change, what will their future entail?
As stated in the European Green Deal, “The atmosphere is warming and the climate is changing. One million of the eight millions species on the planet are at risk of being destroyed.” Although responding to climate change has been the subject of many discussions over many years, our communities have not yet done enough to reduce their carbon footprint. Why are we waiting to react? Our children are becoming increasingly aware. They are motivated to use their critical thinking and problem solving skills to take steps to protect our planet. However, they require a greater understanding of how their lifestyle in their local community has an impact on the planet.

“ACTION-Small Steps to a Better World” will respond to these challenges and work towards a sustainable future. By taking ACTION locally (Act on Climate change Together In Our Neighbourhood), these “small steps” will contribute towards creating a better world; with everyone taking responsibility for their own community.
In brief, the project’s objectives are:
1. Stakeholders increase their awareness of climate change and environmental challenges. They increase their contribution towards a sustainable future.
2. Stakeholders gain an appreciation of our planet. They demonstrate a better understanding of how nature contributes to our health and well-being and how action taken locally can improve the quality of life for all.
3. Stakeholders develop their social and educational values of European cultural heritage.
4. Stakeholders develop their modern foreign language and communication skills.
5. Schools exchange good practices and adopt new approaches.
6. Schools disseminate new approaches to other institutions.

This partnership comprises of 2 primary schools; 1 in England with 206 pupils aged 4 to 11 years, and 1 in France with 105 pupils aged 3 to 11 years. WE learn French and English. We hope this language experience will inspire and motivate our pupils to learn more languages at secondary school. We wish to take all the children in their final year at primary school to visit their pen pals at our partner schools. We feel it is important to provide every child in the class with this opportunity because every child matters and they can all make a positive contribution towards our project. By taking the whole class, it will also incorporate more social inclusion and diversity. To give the children a sense of responsibility and achievement, we will involve them in fundraising activities to supplement the Erasmus funding, enabling us to do this.
In order to achieve the set objectives, we have a range of activities planned. The three main environmental areas we have chosen to work on are: the effects of plastic on the environment, energy conservation, food waste and growing our own food. Activities will include:
1.Plastic Week: investigate impact of plastic on environment. “FLOTSAM” by D. Wiesner
2. No electricity day: Are children aware HOW much we rely on electricity? Children and staff plan lessons together, to support their learning without electricity. How will less energy create a happier, healthier planet?
3. Monitoring food waste. How can we reduce it?
4. Growing fruit and vegetables. Planting flowers to increase biodiversity.

By working on these co-ordinated activities with our partner school, all stakeholders will enhance their learning across the curriculum; improve their digital competences, transversal skills; language and communication skills.
Digital tools are a fabulous resource but human contact is still of paramount importance when building positive and lasting bonds. The visits are a vital part of our project. All participants will forever benefit from this enriching experience and develop their understanding of social and educational values of cultural heritage.
Tangible results of the project will includes: evidence of children’s work and creations, survey results; improved and more sustainable school environment, quality awards, eTwinning awards.
The intangible, yet invaluable results of “ACTION-Small Steps to a Better World” will be:
Pupils will gain a greater understanding of climate change and environmental challenges, as they develop a sense of appreciation for our planet. Whilst working together on this common goal of contributing towards a sustainable future, our pupils will increase their knowledge of social and educational values of European cultural heritage, modern foreign language and communication skills. We hope this impact will support our pupils to to become educated, respectful and responsible European and global citizen.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 65200 Eur

Project Coordinator

Wanborough Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Ecole du Lac