Education and culture

Lifelong Learning Programme COMENIUS

Comenius Project:

“Intercultural dialogue as a means to

develop creativity & innovation”

European Festivities

10th meeting

in Crotone, Italy

12th-17th May 2011

Istituto Statale d’Istruzione Secondaria Superiore

"Gian Vincenzo Gravina" Crotone -ITALY -

1. Introduction

The 10th meeting of the Comenius project “Intercultural dialogue as a means to

develop creativity and innovation” began in Crotone on the 12th of May at Istituto

“Gian Vincenzo Gravina” with the participation of all 11 countries. The main topic of

the meeting is “European Day”.

The beginning of the preparation of our European day festivities began in

Lithuania where, together with the music teachers, we created a Song for Europe.

Before leaving Lithuania we were given both the music and the words of the song

created which the Italian students sang at the beginning of the meeting.

The aims of this meeting were:

to learn more about each others country

to present each country‟s topic

to work together, communicate and create a European festivity learn more

about the city of Crotone, its people and its festivities

2. General information about Crotone

Crotone is situated in Calabria, a region in the south of Italy on the Ionian sea.

It is a very old city and was founded in 710 BC as an Achaean colony of Croton.

It was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was

changed to the current one. In 1994 it became a Province.

Our school is a secondary high school with three different locations in the city of

Crotone. It offers three principal courses of study: Social Studies, Social Economics

and Linguistic (where the students must learn three modern languages they can choose

from English, French, German or Spanish). Next year the school will add another

course to its curriculum as it will offer a five year music course. Our school serves not

only Crotone, but many of the surrounding villages and towns; in fact many of our

students live in small towns in the province. At the moment there are 772 students , 73

teachers and 21 technical and administrative staff.

Along with the curricular courses our school offers a wide range of extra-curricular

activities dealing with sports, languages, maths, science, and philosophy.

The 18 students and 10 teachers working on the Comenius Project met regularly to

prepare the presentation for the meetings, search for material and think of creative

ways to present the different topics for each presentation. Teachers and students

started the meetings with an open debate to discuss any problems that may have

come up. The students were also involved in the school newspaper and wrote articles

for the school newspaper.

Participants of the meeting

The Comenius Project group hosted 18 students, 23 teachers and other adults that

accompanied the group.

Countries Name of students Names of teachers Italian host students

Spain Joanna Lis

Małgorzata Witaszek

Marta Beatriza Dominguez Bezos

Trinidad Sigüenza Ayuso

Manica Costanza

Mancuso Simona

Cyprus Alexandra Kyprianou

Nafsika Gregoriou

Martha Gavrielidou

Despo Pattichi

Elia Alessia

Mungari Maria Vittoria

Romania Sara Postoi

Ivona Scafariu

Doinita Mihai

Dana Manea

Sisca Vittoria

Casulli Isabelle

Estonia Kirke Tarjus

Margaret Pappa

Ruth Juss

Signe Lensment

Lorecchio Arianna

Cosentini Luisa

UK Lucy Park

Kayleigh Tongs

Aylafatma Lambert

Katherine Chivers

Michael Lambert

Bruni Alessia

Manfredi Maria Alessandra

Poland Joanna Lis

Małgorzata Witaszek

Gabriela Latała

Leokadia Dycha

Manica Costanza

Mancuso Simona

Lithuania Indre Kirkliauskaite

Dovydas Sernas

Rima Beitnariene

Algirdas Beitnaras

Ruggiero Claudia

Mauro Pietro

Hungary Gyula Házkötő

Norbert Kotán

Zoltán Tamás

Zsolt Kovács

Krisztina Gulyásné Kurtán

Tamás Gulyás

D‟Alife Steven

Messina Antonio

Germany Louise Zühlke van

Hulzen

Thusaliny

Saravanapavananthan

Ursula Slomka

Andrea Stadler

Manica Emilia

Bossio Vanessa

Greece No students Katerinopoulou Eleni

Baniora Xanthippi

Unfortunatly at the last minute the Greek students were not able to attend the

meeting so two of the Italian students did not host.

The teachers had rooms and breakfast at "Costa Tiziana Hotel" on the Ionian sea

just ouside the city.

The daily transfers were made by a bus or when needed by car.

ISTITUTO STATALE D’ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE

”G.V.GRAVINA”

Codice Scuola: KRPM010006

Cod. Fisc.: 81004870796 Via U. Foscolo, 10

Tel.: 0962 22486 88900 Crotone - Kr - (ITALY)

11th of May pick up and meeting at hotel (Germany and Poland).

12th May Thursday TIME ACTIVITIES PEOPLE INVOLVED

? MEETING AT HOTEL “COSTA TIZIANA” host families pick up students

20.00 WELCOME DINNER AT

“COSTA TIZIANA HOTEL”

teachers only

www.costatiziana.it

13th May Friday TIME ACTIVITIES PEOPLE INVOLVED

8.30 PICK UP AT HOTEL-- take to (meeting at S.

Francesco)

students arrive at school with host

families

8.45 MEETING AT SCHOOL, EXCHANGE OF GIFTS,

SHORT PRESENTATION BY HEADMASTER The

students will sing songs to welcome the delegation

(All the teachers and students)

students will take part in all the

activities of the day

9.45

COFFEE BREAK (SPONSORED BY SCHOOL) teachers and host students

10.15

MEETING WITH AUTHORIES AT TOWN HALL

www.comune.crotone.it

www.provincia.crotone.it

11.15 CROTONE CITY TOUR, THE CASTLE OF

CARLO V

14.00 LUNCH at School at school donated by parents and

teachers

15.45

SHORT MEETING AND COFFEE BREAK FOR

TEACHERS

Workshop (preparation of stalls for

presentation)

16.15

PRESENTATION OF EACH COUNTRIES WORKS

18.50

FREE TIME FOR TEACHERS TO VISIT THE

MARKETS

host families are responsible for

students

20.30 DINNER AT MARKETS OR AT THE

FOLLOWING SELF SERVICE RESTURANTS

NEAR THE MARKETS Bus at 23.00

“Bagò”

“Pizzeria Vecchio Mulino”

“Pizzeria Romana”

14th May Saturday TIME ACTIVITIES PEOPLE INVOLVED

8.30

PICK UP AT HOTEL students arrive at school

with host families

9.00 TEACHERS WILL BE PICKED UP AT THE HOTEL AND

TAKEN TO SCHOOL

DAY OUT - MEET AT SCHOOL BUS TO “LE CASTELLA”

students and teachers

10.00 GLASS BOTTON BOAT RIDE “ERANUSA” www.ampcaporizzuto.it

11.15 GUIDED TOUR OF THE CASTLE www.lecastella.eu

12.15 FREE TIME FOR SHOPPING

13.15 LUNCH AT A SCHOOL IPSSAR LE CASTELLA cost 15euro only teachers

students packed lunch

prepared by the host

families

15.30 BUS TO CAPOCOLONNA

16.00 GUIDED TOUR OF THE RUINS IN CAPOCOLONNA

18.30 FREE TIME host families are

responsible for students

20.30 DINNER PIZZA AT TYPICAL ITALIAN ANTIPASTO teachers only at pizzeria

1.30 POSSIBLE PILGRIMAGE TO CAPOCOLONNA

15th May Sunday TIME ACTIVITIES PEOPLE INVOLVED

10.00 PICK UP AT HOTEL: A DAY OUT - MEET AT

HOTEL BUS TO CIRO VISIT A WINERY SNACK

AND WINE WITH TYPICAL FOOD (TEACHERS)

host families are responsible

for students

13.30 LUNCH IN CIRO‟ www.ippolito1845.it 10 to 15€

16.00 RETURN TO CROTONE

19.00 PICK UP AT HOTEL Dinner at Re Artu

19.00 FIRE WORKS AND PROCESSION

16th May

TIME ACTIVITIES PEOPLE INVOLVED

8.30 PICK UP AT HOTEL

dance class

students arrive at school

with host families

8.45 BUS TO SILA AND WALK IN THE GIANTS OF THE SILA

11.30 BATISTERO DI S. GIOVANNI

13.30 TEACHERS LUNCH AT S.SEVERINA

STUDENTS LUNCH AT S.SEVERINA

15 euro

5 euro or picnic lunch

packed by the families

15.00 MEETING WITH AUTHORIES AT CASTLE

15.30 MEETING FOR TEACHERS TO DISCUSS FINAL

MEETING IN GREECE PRESENTAION OF THE 11TH

MEETING IN HELLAS DANCE WORKSHOP FOR

STUDENTS

16.30 GUIDED VISIT OF CASTLE AND CHURCH www.pit12.it

17.30 SHOW www.crotoneturismo.it

20.30 FARWELL BUFFET DINNER AT

“COSTA TIZIANA HOTEL”

2.1 Arrival and departure, 12th and 17th of May

The delegations of the partner schools arrived on the 11th and 12th of May, the

German group arrived at Lamezia airport on the 11th in the afternoon and were picked

up by an Italian teacher, while the Polish team arrived on the 11th at Crotone airport.

The students were picked up by the host families and the teachers by the headmaster.

The rest of the group arrived on the 12th: Hungary arrived late afternoon by car,

England, Spain and Cyrus by plane at Lamezia airport where a bus was waiting for

them to accompany them to the hotel, while Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, and Romania

arrived at Crotone airport at 22.00. The Italian headmaster was at the airport to

welcome them while the other teachers were at the hotel to help with check in.

2.1 Friday, 12-05-2011, Crotone-and City Centre

On the first day, the coordinator met with the group at the hotel and accompanied

them to one of the three school buildings where the first meeting was held while the

Italian students and teachers waited for the delegation at school.

The teachers and students were able to admire the 11 bulletin boards that

illustrated the different activities of the past meetings with pictures, drawings,

pamphlets and brochures.

A power point presentation of the project created by the students was also played

along with a video of Crotone.

During the official opening of the meeting the headmaster Alberto D‟Ettoris

greated the guests with a welcoming speech.

The students from one of the elementary schools in Crotone "M. G. Cutuli",

together with the students of the comenius project, welcomed the delegation by

singing and playing three typical Italian songs "Calabrisella", "O Sole Mio",

"Nel blu dipinto di blu" and the Song of Europe.

After the exchange of gifts and a coffee break prepared by the students and

teachers, the group took a bus to the town hall to meet with the authorities.

At the town hall the students played the national anthems of each country, while a

Comenius student entered with each country„s flag ,the students also played and sang

the European anthem and the song of Europe. The final outcome was that all the

students with the different flags stood together.

After the meeting and welcome speech and short presentation of the city of Crotone

by the autoritories, the group was taken on a guided tour of the old part of city centre

with a visit of the museum where the group was able to admire the crown of Hera

Lacinia, afterwards a short walk and visit of the medieval castle of Carlo V.

The group then took the bus back to school where a buffet lunch was provided by

the teachers and students.

After lunch a short meeting to discuss the itinerary and answer questions.

PRESENTATION

Each country was to present a different topic with information regarding

all 11 countries. Italy topic was foreign currency: students sang the national anthemn

and presented each countries currency with a power point presentation that began with

each countries national anthem and ended with a personal conversation on the students„

experience in each country. The students wore hand-painted posters that represented

each countries territory.

Spain (the origin of the different languages) The students made a geological tree that

illustrated the origin of the different languages that the students explained. The teachers

illustrated and gave out agendas they had created as a final product.

Cyprus (tourist attractions) The students created a booklet that shows the most

important tourist attractions in the different countries. They also gave each country a

placemat with pictures of each tourist location.

Romania (mass-media) the teacher was dressed in typical Romanian outfits, the

students gave a short performance using a baton and presented a video.

Estonia (geography) A video on each countries national flower and information on the

population and its landscape.

United Kingdom (sports quiz) the teacher and students asked questions about

different sports or athletes in different countries; a prize was given to the team that got

the most correct answers.

Poland (food) The students presented a video on the different meals in the

11 countries.

Hungary (cultural heritage) A video with a short presentation of each countries most

important historical monuments.

Germany (youth fashion) A questionnaire was sent to the students before the

meeting, the students presented a power point presentation with the results, the German

students also created and were dressed in a new European outfit.

Lithuania (music) a power point presentation on the most important musicians.

Greece (olympic games) posters and power point presentation.

After the presentation, the students returned home with their host families and the

teachers went for a walk in the markets.

2.3 Saturday 13-05-2011 guided tour of Le Castella and Capo Colonna

Teachers and students left the school for the Marine Reserve in Isola Capo Rizzuto

where they went on a glass bottom boat tour of the area. The Marine Reserve of Capo

Rizzuto was founded in 1991 to preserve a unique section of coast from an

environmental point of view and to protect the rich archaeological heritage present on

the sea bed. The area protects 42 kilometres of coast in the territory of Crotone and Isola

di Capo Rizzuto.

The group them went on a guided tour of the Aragonese castle.

The castle dates back to the 13th

century and was built to protect the bay against

invaders.

After lunch the group went to visit Capo Colonna where there is a small church, a

museum and an archaeological park and the last Doric column that remains from the

temple erected during the Magna Græcia period dedicated to the goddess Hera Lacinia.

The teachers returned to the hotel, the students to their host families. Since one of the

topics of the project is religious festivities, the date chosen for the meeting in Crotone

was not by chance the period of the Madonna of Capo Colonna feast.

The teachers were picked up at the hotel, taken to a typical restaurant in Capo

Colonna and after dinner to the city centre where the pilgrimage began The statue of the

Madonna left the church at about 1.30 am. The teachers were able to take part in the

pilgrimage and its religious festivities, even if none of the teachers walked to Capo

Colonna. The students all participated in the pilgrimage, some of them even walked to

Capo Colonna.

2.4 Sunday 15-05-2011 A day out in Cirò at Ippolito’s winery

The teachers were picked up at the hotel and taken to a winery in Cirò, where they

were able to see how wine is made and preserved. They were served a typical Italian

meal.

In the evening the teachers were picked up at the hotel and taken to "Re Artù"

restaurant, where they had dinner and were able to admire the fireworks for the final

festivities of the pilgrimage.

The students spent the day with their host families and all the students took part in

the last part of the pilgrimage.

2.5 Monday 16-05-2011

The teachers and students left by bus for Sila, where the students had planned a

walking tour in the “Giants of the Sila”, which unfortunately was not possible because it

was raining, so we went to San Giovanni, where we visited the Abbazia Florense that is

the town's oldest monument.

After the guided visit of the church and a walk through San Giovanni we took the

bus to Santa Severina,where we had lunch in an old traditional restaurant.

Meeting with the major of Santa Severina and exchange of gifts.

Teachers meeting to discuss the 11th and final meeting in Greece.

The Greek teachers gave out booklets and programs and explained what each country

should prepare.

Each country should present a 4-5 minute presentation on European day: it can

be in the form of a poem, dance, song, poster, exhibition.

The students must also give their personal opinions and information on how the

project has benefitted them and their school, family etc.

All students are asked to dress in a national costume or with the colours of the

national flag.

Each country is asked to bring small flags to hold during the presentations

The Spanish teacher asked the Greek coordinator about the picture dictionary which

is not finished yet and it was decided that England will work on its completation.

She also asked about the web page which all the countries are having problems with;

we are to keep in touch to try and find a solution.

The Estonian team said they would help if needed.

While the teachers were in the meeting the students were taught to dance typical

Italian dances that they performed all together for us in the castle at the end of the

meeting.

After the meeting the teachers and students watched a presentation given by a group

of students from our school together with "Istituto M.G. Cutuli": the project was funded

by the Ministry of Public Education called "The Castles of the Marchesato and Life

at Court"; the project aim was to study the feudal period, paying particular attention to

local history and the castles of the Marchesato.

The students created posters where they described the different moments of

life at court.

After the presentation teachers and students were taken on a guided tour of the castle.

In the evening the students and teachers took part in a farewell dinner and dance.

It was a moment of great fun and it was great to see the teachers and students from

different parts of Europe dancing and talking together.

2. Evaluation

The evaluation form was completed by 20 foreign teachers, and 18 foreign students.

The students used options between 4,5 and 5, the teachers marked mostly

between 4,5 and 5. The meeting was an overall success: according to the evaluation

form all the teachers and students agreeed that they were able to be immersed into the

Italian culture and its hospitality and that they were able to learn more about life and

religious festivities in the south of Italy. The students and teachers also gave very

positive remarks on the families„ hospitality, the guided tours of the castles and the

beauty of the pilgrimage and fire works.

The students enjoyed the dance workshop and, thanks to the teachers and the

students active participation, they were able to dance the “tarantella“.

Many of the teachers complimented the students for their active participation and for

the energy and love that they had put into the project.

The negative comments were.

Too little time to buy souvenirs.

No tour of the school.

That there were teachers that did not speak English making communication

difficult.

They did not like the breakfast at the hotel.

1. Attitude and behaviour in the group:

- This experience has improved the dialogue among countries 4.8

- It has promoted understanding and mutual respect 4.5

- It has developed the knowledge of different cultures and

religions

4.8

- This experience has been good to think about the differences

and similarities among countries and people

4.8

- It has also been useful to accept all those differences 4.8

- Racism, ignorance and prejudice has been reduced 4.5

- This experience has been useful to know ourselves 4.9

- The team work has been improved 4.2

- New perspectives and values have been broadened 4.7

- Different cultures and values have been widened 4.9

- The group has improved its attitudes and behaviour 4.5

2. European Day:

- This experience has helped to get to know our countries

better

4.9

- The experience has improved the knowledge about different

countries

4.8

- The experience has highlighted the importance of culture

and tradition

4.9

- Work among teachers and students have been improved 4.7

- A better understanding among different students has been

achieved

4.8

- Students have learnt to create and use information on their

own

4.5

- It has been good to elaborate useful material 4.5

- It has produced new activities to be included in the official

curriculum

4.3

- It has been helpful in improving languages by stimulating

communication

4.6

- It has promoted the development and innovation in other

pedagogical areas

4.5

- It has been good to improve the use of News Technologies 4.2

I S T I T U T O S T A T A L E D ’ I S T R U Z I O N E

S E C O N D A R I A S U P E R I O R E

” G i a n V i n c e n z o G R A V I N A ” C r o t o n e - I T A L Y -

TEACHERS’ QUESTIONNARIE Multilateral Comenius - Results

(TIC)

- It has favoured the innovation and creativity in the teaching

of our subjects, included in our teaching process through

poems, role-plays, art, music etc. and helps to improve the

learning process.

4.8

- It has promoted a type of school open to society 4.8

3. Going to a new European dimension:

- This experience has promoted the connection among

different cultures creating a new European identity

4.8

- It has developed a cosmopolitan Europe 4.5

- It has contributed to a more active citizenship 4.8

- It has developed democratic structures 5

- It has promoted the coexistence of different national and

religious identities

4.8

- It has promoted the European Union 4.8

- It has given a new dimension to Europe 4.8

1. Organization:

- Reception 5

- Accommodation 4.6

- Transport 4.9

- The organisation of your stay (program) 5

- The given material (maps, leaflets) 4.8

- Technical means 4.8

- Locations 5

- Times 5

- Human treatment 5

- The capacity solving problems or doubts 4.9

2. Activities at “G.V. Gravina” - Crotone:

- Different countries’ collaboration during European day

workshops

4.7

- The students’ work from all countries on the presentation

of European Day

4.9

- The organisation of the concert/presentation 4.9

- Learning about school life in Crotone 3

- Lunch 4.5

3. Activities outside “G.V. Gravina” - Crotone:

- Lunch, dinner. 4.9

- Crotone city tour; The Castle of Carlo V 5

- Visit to Le Castella (glass bottom boat ride); Capo Colonna 5

- Visit of ruins in Capo Colonna 4.9

- Sila and walk in the giants of the Sila guided visit of Castle

and Church in S. Severina

4.9

- Baptistery of S. Giovanni in Fiore 5

4. Meetings:

- The meeting at school 4.7

- The meeting at S.Severina 4.7

- The collaboration of different countries during the meetings 4.5

- The outcomes of the meetings 4.3

TEACHERS’ QUESTIONNARIE

Multilateral Comenius - Stay in Crotone Italy - Results

I S T I T U T O S T A T A L E D ’ I S T R U Z I O N E

S E C O N D A R I A S U P E R I O R E ” G i a n V i n c e n z o G R A V I N A ”

C r o t o n e - I T A L Y -

Crotone – ITALY 12-17 May 2011

5. Has it been useful:

- Learning about our countries 5

- European day Presentations 4.8

- Cultural richness 4.9

- Improvement in the English Language level 4.8

- More control in the use of New Technologies (TIC) 4.2

- To promote creativity and innovation 4.3

- Knowledge of the Italian culture 5

- General feeling about the whole process 5