Children's Conference project
We met at the eTwinning conference on Creative and Cultural Education in Munich last year in May. I not only remember the special and entertaining conference opening by the Paper Theatre group and its »Children's Conference« project that you've been promoting and supporting ever since but also I started working on some good ideas.
During the years I have been working on creative ideas with my students through project works
We have come to the conclusion that learning a language is not just grammar, it can become something interesting and fun.
I am confident that cultural education encompasses a wide variety of practices, the potential to develop skills and approaches that students need: the ability to ask questions, to make connections motivates me to choose a professional development seminar in Munich last year.
In my everyday teaching process, I have always tried different techniques to stimulate my students in accumulating new ideas and creative paths in their learning. From the conference in Munich I got a lot of experience and inspiration. When I came back I put ideas into practice. I started working on the questionnaire or the topic of children's rights and the rights to express themselves.
The motivation to participate in the project corresponds to the results of the current project work and supports the School Development Strategy Plan, in particular: to encourage pupils to think creatively and independently, to argue convincingly, to take responsibility and make decisions, to work in a team.
In class I worked using the questionnaire book by selecting some of the questions related to our English syllabus. These are: What is happiness according to you? How do you imagine the world in 20 years? Which are the most important things you need to have around you and the things you do not need? What sentence would you write in capital letters on a wall that everybody could read? Write a letter to the government with questions and proposals!
After a series of lessons, I summarized the topics, then trough a lotto approach the students got questions to think on and present their view. They self-organized groups of interests and collaborated with how to present their ideas. Posters, flip-chart, computers were their tools. The classroom turned into a creative space. As a result, students prepared very interesting presentation “School in 20 years". Some of the students were overwhelmed by the idea to create a logo of a creative classroom. It was a sign for every product. The students not only painted, drew and decorated but also developed strategies on how to present their works to the other school students.
They made an exhibition and not-stop rolling PPP in the lobby of the school. That attracted everybody’s attention and my students were very happy to give explanation of the products and answer questions to the audience.
The most effective methods were enquiry based approach, problem solving, critical thinking, project-based approach, presentation and teamwork; speaking techniques – practice and prepare, organize material in the most effective way, let your personality come through, use humour, tell stories, use your voice and hands effectively, grab attention; creative writing- Accurate and concise use of language (vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, ease of readin
I shared my ideas with colleagues from my school PMPG “Kl. Ohridski” Montana. It was cross work because some of them also had nice ideas and good approaches in developing cultural education. Most of them worked with the kids in clubs: Unicef, club “Europe”, English language-easy and interesting, Traditional art festival etc. Step by step through art, discussions, problems solving and variety of social events we tried to reach students confidence and self-esteem. Our students are at different age, that’s why we always gave publicity to our work – school website, posters, blogs. Some of the most remarkable events are:
-Traditional annual carnival where students present their hand made masks and costumes and compete into two categories for artistic make up and costumes.
- MultiTalent Quest, where Gergana Tsvetomirova Tzvetkova from the 11th grade of the PGP presented our school remarkably, demonstrating knowledge, talents and skills during the second round of the competition, conducted entirely in English, in Blagoevgrad. She was chosen among the 64 finalists of the first round of the competition, where she successfully expressed herself through a creative video-CV and a successful online English test.
The organizers of the event from the American University in Bulgaria gave special thanks to the Montana PGPM for encouraging their students to participate in projects that develop creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership skills of young people.
- Deputy for a day –Euroscola, Strasbourg- Students from our school won the contest to participate in the debates of Euroscola. They discussed six main themes: environment and renewable energy; security and human rights; 2018 - European Year of Cultural Heritage; the future of Europe; migration and integration; Youth employment. As MEPs, they showed confidence, dedication, and perfect English. Their participation showed their peers from all over Europe that our school prepares future leaders and gives them opportunities to realize themselves.
