BookPals@schools.eu Erasmus Project

Project Title

BookPals@schools.eu

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 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

BookPals@schools.eu was a two-year interdisciplinary project between secondary schools from Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and Turkey which addressed secondary students aged 15-19 who studied English as a foreign language. The participating schools brought their previous experience and expertise into this multicultural community in order to fulfill the objective of the project, i.e. to develop students’ literacy skills with reading, writing and acting out literary pieces while exposing them to natural and meaningful foreign language environments. The main goals were to develop reading habits and literacy skills of students through international partnership, promote EU dimension of the schools, strengthen teachers with new teaching methods and through exchanges of best practices, activate students in learning and development of language competences, learn about new cultures and the elimination of prejudices. Partners presented each other their nations’ origins and heritage, literary works included in their curricula and the most popular contemporary works of their national literatures. It was determined which books were popular among students in these countries and the interpretation was based on creative work and improving various types of literacy, ICT skills and modern methodology which affected and enhanced students’ intellectual, social and emotional development, aided by teamwork and peer by peer education. To carry out the activities envisaged in our project, teachers learned new teaching methods. Through trainings, a forum on eTwinning and social networks, and direct contact and cooperation, teachers exchanged good practices which helped them implement these methodologies in their schools, merging traditional teaching methods based on developing and improving basic literacy with the 21st century literacy skills. They strongly cooperated to share good practices of teaching with a view to strengthening their teaching profession. Throughout the two project years they continuously took part in 6 joint teacher training sessions, lesson observations, micro teaching and peer-teaching sessions. Topics of those meetings were Basic Literacy, Media Literacy, Language Learning Literacy, Cultural and Multicultural Literacy, Technology Literacy, Visual Literacy, as well as the methodology of Multiple Intelligences, Visible Thinking, Critical Reading and Writing, etc. Throughout the project, students created and edited their literary corner, recorded short films and plays, took photos, wrote newletters and blogs on Twinspace, created book covers, posters, picture books, illustrations, participated in competitions and contests. Both students and teachers took part in several activities including reading and discussing selected books, writing drama scripts and acting out their play. Other areas of art such as design, illustration, taking photos and shooting films were incorporated in the tasks. They also connected via videoconferences and penpals (by email) and the students who participated in the exchanges (mobilities to other countries) learnt about European literature and its influence on the culture, and after mobilities they presented results to the rest of students, teachers, families and wide public. The final products are Picture books of our origins, Book recommender brochure, a drama script and performance, literary corners at schools and the establishment of a student volunteer system to ensure the longevity of the project after the completition of the project activities. At the end of the project, participants have developed different kinds of literacy skills, both teachers and students have improved their communicative skills using the English language and their digital competences through the use of web2tools. They have also developed social and intepersonal skills and a sense of European belonging. The participating schools are more open-minded to their European neighbours and they strive to update their teaching and learning environments by implementing and integrating the innovative teaching methodologies in their curricula.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 135725 Eur

Project Coordinator

Ekonomska skola Pozega & Country: HR

Project Partners

• Agrupamento de Escolas de Muralhas do Minho
• Zespol Szkol nr 2 w Lubartowie
• Budapesti Gazdasági SZC Harsányi János Szakközépiskolája és Szakiskolája
• PERIFEREIAKO GYMNASIO KAI LYKEIO LEFKARON
• BURHAN FELEK ANADOLU LISESI