Comenius
Let's discover hidden talents
COMENIUS „Let’s discover hidden talents”
THE THIRD MEETING IN TURKEY
18th-24th May 2014
The visit in Turkey was preceded by the Turkish month, which we celebrated in our school in May. We had a lot of work to do. At that time, we deepened knowledge about the history, Turkish traditions and customs , we prepared posters and multimedia presentations about the country and the most popular Turkish band "Duman" and the song "Senden daha güzel", we learned Turkish vocabulary and phrases from our small project dictionary, created by all partners in the beginning of the project. We also recorded Polish version of the project anthem, we prepared a video of Polish Talent Show and the project activities done during the Turkish Month. When the deadline for departure to Turkey was approaching, we were very excited. For many of us it was the first trip to Turkey.
In Turkey, we were greeted very warmly by the headmasters of the school, teachers, students, and especially by the host families, who looked after the children of the partner countries, trying to spice up their one week stay in Izmir. And there were a lot of attractions. Children had the opportunity to learn how their peers from Turkey live. They were at the bowling alley, at the zoo, on the beach, they floated by boat, they were invited for a party organized by one of the Turkish colleague.
At school, we took part in many meetings and activities resulting from the tasks of the project. With great interest, we learned about the school life of Turkish children and adolescents, we visited the school, we participated in the classes of mathematics and art, we participated in art workshops, where we created a picture made with a traditional Turkish art of "marble water", we painted on stones, we created own perfume. Everyone admired the performances of students who prepared a very interesting artistic program showing Turkish culture and traditions.
We watched Turkish Talent Show prepared by Turkish students, where we we admired Turkish songs, dances and children's talents, we saw ceremony of marriage, beautifully prepared by younger children, we participated in the competition for Turkish vocabularies and we learned to dance Turkish dance. Very touching accent was a common dancing "Damat Halay", danced by all children and common singing the anthem of our project. We felt that we were a really great Comenius team.
In Turkey, we had the opportunity to taste Turkish cuisine, which tempted by the smell and taste, and added energy and power to all teachers. Our stay in this beautiful country was also attractive thanks to a trip to Ephesus and walks through the streets of Izmir. In Ephesus we admired the ancient ruins of the city on the Agora, the Temple of Artemis and Domitian, Hercules Gate, Church of the Virgin Mary, the ruins of the baths, a sports field and extensive parts of the Grand Theatre. We saw places where the residents of Ephesus cared about physical and mental health. Ephesus left a lasting and unforgettable impression on us. Izmir shocked us not only the size, population density, but first of all splendor, variety of spices and colours of the local market. A great experience for us was the meeting with the governor of the District of Izmir Balçova who gave some gifts for all participants of the meeting.
During the course of the project we watched the videos "Talent Show", prepared by each project partner, we acquainted with the educational system in Lithuania and Greece - countries that could not attend the first visit to Poland. We summarized the work in the first year of the project, we discussed issues related to the implementation of certain tasks, we shared our problems and experiences in the realization of the project, we reminded the tasks to be performed in June. We confirmed the date of the next visit, which will be held in Lithuania from 19 to 25 October 2014.
During the meeting it became clear, that our students have a lot of talents, often deeply hidden, but thanks to the participation in the project "Let’s discover the hidden talents", students have the opportunity to discover their talents and skills. We hope that the children will amaze their teachers with their skills and talents still many times.
We want to thank the Turkish team for such wonderful hospitality in their country, school and families, and for giving us an unforgettable experience during our staying in Turkey.
By Wanda Wiśniewska and Mira Grąbczewska
From 18th to 25th May 2014, we held the 2nd Meeting of our Comenius project Let's discover hidden talents in Turkey. There, our students and teachers enjoyed a programme full of nice activities prepared for all of us. We had no words to express our gratitude to the Turkish team and families for taking care of all us in such a lovely way.
At Izmir, the District Governor welcomed us and emphasizes the importance of taking part in such European projects.
At the school we took part in different workshops: creation of perfumes, marble art activity adn painting on stones. On the other hand, all Comenius teachers and students joined some primary classes which allowed us to discover Turkish educational system a little bit more.
A Talent Show Performance was also performed by Turkish students in different categories (dancing, sculpturing, painting...).
Moreover, we went on a trips and we visited Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary and a small historical village.
Finally, we would like to outline the importance of the meeting held there since it helped all Comenius partners a lot to clarify details for the following activities.
From . September, 2013 Alytus Mound basic school is part of the International Education Exchange Support Foundation Comenius project "Let's discover hidden talents" ("Let us discover the hidden talents"). The project is written by a primary school teacher supervisor Daina Karkauskienė. This project will last for two years (2013 - 2015 mm). The program is open to students and teachers opportunities for international partnerships and cooperation with the countries of the schools and the aim of the project - to help young people to develop creativity, discover their talents. The project activities are planned for students of all ages, interactive and interesting, ongoing non-traditional environments and exchange visits to promote motivation, also held a variety of contests and competitions. Students interact with their peers from other European countries and the internet, doing coordinators assigned tasks, and visiting partner schools provided for visits.
In May this year from 18 to 24 December. Project Co-ordinator Daina Karkauskienė, English senior teacher Inga Marčiulaitienė and 4 school students Arijana Cilciūtė (6) Žydrūnė Česonytė (6) Mantvydas Milius (6a) and Karolina Remeikaitė (6b) were at the project partner meeting in Izmir, Turkey. During the meeting, students and teachers not only discussed about already done and future work, but the most famous and visited the surrounding area and met with Turkish traditions and customs, and made friends from partners countries - Poland, Spain and Greece, and of course, Turkey.
Project participants hospitably were adopted of Izmir‘s basic school community, which surprised the sincerity and warm relations between the teachers and the fostering of national traditions. Students and teachers watched a few lessons and workshops and also participated in various workshops: manufacture of perfume, painting on the water and stone. During the visit, the students and teachers were dressed in adorned T-shirts of the project.
During 18 - 24 of May I was a guest in sunny Turkey, Izmir city. Our school participated in the project "Let's Discover Hidden Talents", so I went to a far country, together with 3 more classmates and 2 teachers Daina Karkauskienė and Inga Marčiulaitiene. The aim of the project is to discover the hidden talents of children. Together with us in this project there were also children from 4 more countries: Poland, Spain, Greece and Turkey. We lived in Turkish families‘ children. I really felt welcomed and loved in this family. They took care of me very much. In the free time from the project we sailed by boat and visited various places of Izmir.
Every morning all project participants gathered at school. There were a variety of activities in which we made a perfume, drew on the water and rocks. Turkish dance teacher taught us all to dance the national dance of the Turks. There were also various sightseeing tours, during which we visited the historic market, ancient city‘s ruins, went for a walk in the mountains.
Whereas we were from different countries, we communicated in English. In the beginning, a bit shy, but after some time we all collaborated well
We played different games and had a lot of fun time together. A week passed very quickly, but I found a lot of new good friends. We all cried when it was time to say goodbye. Thanks to the project, I found a lot of new friends, which even now share the experience.
I also want to thank to the teachers, because I had the opportunity to participate in the project, visit Turkey and experience unforgettable moments.
Žydrūnė Česonytė
Hello, we recently returned from Izmir city in Turkey. Izmir is much larger than Alytus and there live mucht more people, so I was a little confused. But after a few days I got used to it.
I have travelled to Turkey for the first time and it was the first time I got on a plane, so from the beginning it was very scary. In total we flew six times! I saw how looks Lithuania, and later the cumulus clouds.
It was almost midnight when we landed in Izmir. I loved the Turkish greeting: they greet touching both cheeks. In general, I found the Turks very friendly people.
One of the best things I liked, was a tour in Efesus ruins. After many years, people have found this city and dugged it. City had to be very nice and quite large, it‘s on pity that it fell. After this tour, we went cliff road to the ancient bazaar. There we bought gifts for our families.
The next day we watched children's talent shows at school. They showed tricks with soap bubbles, sang, danced, sculpted plasticine. I really enjoyed it. We also were not bored: manufactured of perfume, painted on the stones and drew on the water.
We had arranged a meeting with the mayor of Izmir. Everyone got a book about his city. The next night I was in town to watch city‘s clock - it is very nice. Later we walked around the bazaar, and finally we went to a shopping center and there we played bowling. It was a lot of fun.
When the last day came, some girls even cried because it was very hard to stand out.
When we landed in Vilnius I was relieved when we got home . however I will never forget this trip.
Mantvydas Milius
On 18 – 25of May I was in Izmir city. I was very hospitably received and accepted by my friend Felya‘s family.
I loved Turkey. I would liketo go there once again. It was interesting to meet peers from other countries. I really liked the city of Izmir. I was in the zoo, saw the town clock, and visited other places. I participated in various workshops.
I hope that my girlfriend Felya will love my country and my city Alytus. I hope it will leave a great admiration next summer, when she will come here.
Karolina Remeikaitė
18th May (Sunday)
Project partners from Poland,Catalonia-Spain, Lithuania and Greece arrived at the airport in İzmir and Levent Yıldız and Neşe Çelikel welcomed them. Guest children were met Turkish children and parents at the reception and left with their host families.
19th May (Monday)
The project partners have taken from the hotel and joined the ceremony on 19th May Youth and Sports National Day at Balçova Square.
Children were brought to the school by the host families. Project partners met at the School Conference Hall for a welcoming performance. The school was especially decorated with national flags of all partners and posters presented all participating countries.
At the beginning of the meeting Turkish partner greeted the guests and all partners presented their teams . Turkish Comenius students and guest students sang the project anthem.
Since it was the bank holiday in Turkey ,the school was off and a sightseeing tour was organized around Balçova for the guests.
20th May (Tuesday)
In the morning all Comenius team gathered in the school garden and departed for the trip to Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary and Şirince (small touristic and historical village famous for its wines.)
21st May (Wednesday)
The students and teachers took part in workshops. They created own perfumes. After workshop Turkish team’s Art and Design Exhibition was held in conference saloon. There were The Major of Educational Department of Balçova, headmasters of other institutions, teachers, parents and all participant countries in the exhibition ceremony.
Turkish parents prepared coffee break with snacks for guests.
The Turkish Talent Show was held and the most talented students performed in different categories such as dancing, sculpturing,painting,decorating...On the other hand Nursery school children danced for the guests and 1st class students performed a simple wedding ceremony . Everyone admired the performances of students who prepared a very interesting artistic program showing the Turkish culture and traditions.
**The meeting for the tasks was very useful to clarify the details for the following activities. We also evaluated the first year responsibilities. The Lithuanian and Greek team presented their countries,cities,cultures and their educational system.
22nd May (Thursday)
The fourth day was full of experience for teacher and students to distinguish the educational processes.They spent at school to know better Turkish teacher’s and children’s work .All participants participated in the classes of mathematics in secondary school and they also joined a primary class .
After the coffee break they participated in art workshops, where they created a picture made with a traditional Turkish art of "marble water", they painted on stones.
All teams participated in the competition for Turkish vocabularies and they learned a Turkish dance ‘Damat Halayı’.
Wanda, the coordinator: ‘Very touching accent was a common dancing "Damat Halayı", danced by all children and common singing the anthem of our project. We felt that we were a really great Comenius team.’
The certificates of attendance for all activities were given to all members.Then all participants of the project went to the Balçova Town Hall to visit the District Governor ,Mehmet Ali Çalkaya.He welcomed the guests in our city,thanked for honoring the National Day on Monday and he stressed how important for the people , the residents of Balçova was the participation of our guests at the ceremony.She also pointed out how important for the development of a young person to contact with other people and cultures.
23rdth May ( Friday)
The last day of the project meeting started with the working meeting again.Participants analyzed the tasks,which will be completed till the Lithuanian Meeting in October.Talent shows videos of the partner schools were watched together.
**The turkish team had the responsibility to gather them in a video under the title of ‘Talents’.
**We talked about the progress reports and it was decided that each team was going to fill in the report individually.
**The other point was about the ‘ Newsletter’. A summary document of all activities in the first year was going to completed by Turkish team and was going to be sent to Polish team to upload the web page.
**Greek team was responsible for giving the instructions for the activity of ‘City Model’ .
**Till October 15th, the models were going to be finished at schools and all countries were going to send the photos of the models’ building processes.
**The dates of the following meetings were clarified.
*The fourth meeting in Lithuania : 18-26 October 2014
*The fifth meeting in Spain : 19-25 April 2015
*The final meeting in Greece : 31 May - 06 June 2015
The guests evaluated the performance of the Turkish meeting filling an evaluation form given by Turkish team .The attendance certificates of the meeting were given to all participants in the final ceremony of Turkish team. The farewell ceremony was prepared by the Turkish teachers and especially Turkish students. At the end of the ceremony there was a special lunch showing the traditional style of one of the famous Turkish cuisine, Gözleme.
The last night, the Turkish team organized a social dinner full of Turkish cuisine,traditional music and dances.
The participants experienced the warmth by means of the Turkish traditional food, drinks,
music and dances, Turkish hospitality and joy in receiving guests. We made new
friends and renewed our friendships.
Everybody in Comenius team satisfied with the organization of the project meeting and we are sure we will have an excellent collaboration with the partner schools throughout the Project development.
Written today, 28th May,2014
Neşe,
Turkey.
IMPRESSIONS FROM THE VISIT OF THE 2ND PRIMARY SCHOOL OF PALEOKASTRO TO TURKEY
The visit to Izmir by members of the Comenius educational team of our school was a big success. The pupils and teachers of the expedition had the opportunity to meet the teams from the schools of the other countries that participate in the Programme.
Our colleagues from Turkey organized a number of events and activities for the teachers and pupils from Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Catalonia (Spain). A visit to Ephesus was also included in the flawless organization, which brought the participating countries in contact with ancient Greek history.
During the six-day-long visit, there was an exchange of views on subjects relating to education in general, but also on the educational system of each country in particular. Moreover, good teaching and learning practices were highlighted, which pertained to the experiential approach to knowledge, such as preparing perfumes, conducting experiments and various techniques of making original art structures.
The hospitality was impeccable and under no circumstances did our group feel that they were in a foreign country. The teachers from the 2nd Primary School of Paleokastro wish to express a big “thank you” to the teachers of the Balcova school as well as to the families, who not only provided accommodation to the pupils from our school, but also offered various treats to all of us every day.
The impressions from Izmir experienced by the whole group from Greece reflected on the constant smile and the reminiscence during the following days in the routine of the school life. In particular, the teachers came back refreshed, with an eagerness for further cooperation and creativity, but also bearing in mind the responsibility for the successful organization of the meeting which is due in June 2015 upon the completion of the Programme.
Greek team
