Embracing differences under the umbrella of tolerance Erasmus Project

Project Title

Embracing differences under the umbrella of tolerance

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: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy

Project Summary

The project entitled “Embracing differences under the umbrella of tolerance” covers the topic of tolerance, diversity and citizenship, and lasts two years. The objectives pursued include the implementation of the project, the promotion of active citizenship through the individualisation of teaching methods and a pupils-focused approach to learning, the introduction of changes leading to more active citizenship, the introduction of multicultural dialogue and cooperation with partner schools, the introduction of tolerance-related issues at school, local and national levels, the production of more tolerant and active primary school pupils and future citizens, the introduction of beneficial changes into school practices in relation to tolerance, citizenship and teaching methods, the development of literacy and tranversal competences – a foreign language and ICT skills, the production of new innovative and quality pedagogical ways, providing opportunities of professional development for young and inexperienced teachers, the promotion of mobilty as a way to increase knowledge, skills and professional opportunities. The project is carried out by six primary schools from Poland, Germany, Latvia, Turkey, Spain and Greece.The main activities are as follows:making the cook book with recipes from all partner countries, putting together the book of good practices with lesson plans of tolerance-related tasks to be used by other teachers, celebrating the International Day of Tolerance, visiting four partner counries to hold project meetings, wiriting a tolerance dictionary with tolerance-focused words translated into English and other native languages of partners, the photo contest to find tolerance-related situations and pictures, which later have been voted and prized, drama episodes to present ways to fight intolerance and promote tolerance and citizenship heroes, adopting a friend where children help other special needs friends to learn tolerance and diversity etc.The results include completing the project, increasing children’s awarness of various aspects of tolerance, diversity and active citizenship as a long-term benefit, teaching pupils to work on their own, starting up multicultural dialogue with partner schools through their works and a chat, introducing changes into school practices such as continuing the celebration of the International Day of Tolerance, changing attitutes of the children and the staff in the area of tolerance and active citizenship (longer-term benefit). Furthermore, based on observations and interviews with other teachers, uprating pupils’ skills in English and ICT. Young and new teachers have had a plenty of opportunities to observe lessons, new methods of teaching and other good practises and thus developed their professional experience. Some of the observed practices are going to be implemented in partner schools as another long-term benefit. The mobilities have been a wonderful method to gain new knowledge and skills useful in everyday work of all participating teachers. The completion of all activities and tasks according to the project timetable is also a result of that two-year work on the project. All the children’s paper and e- works, youtube films, the book of good practices, the cook book, the photo contests, photos following the realisation of the project events, activities and tasks, our e-twinning website and the blog, various press articles, local and regional publicity are important results of the project as well. The sustainable result involves friendship of all partner schools that has been made during the project. A few partners want to continue work together in the future.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 74655 Eur

Project Coordinator

Szkola Podstawowa im. Henryka Sienkiewicza & Country: PL

Project Partners

• Berkersheimer Schule
• PETKIM LATIFE HANIM ILKOKULU
• Meiranu Kalpaka pamatskola
• Colegio Padres Trinitarios
• 15th Primary School Volos