Learning form the Holocaust

Project summary

CONTEXT Four schools from different parts of Europe with different backgrounds and complementary skills intend to learn and exchange good practices around the teachings that the Holocaust give us. INTENTION This project calls the memory of the Holocaust because it is important to remember. It is important to remember because we want to build a future based on and engaged with the values of tolerance, inclusion and democracy. Democracy depends on the participation of all, not only in the simple yet crucial act of voting, but also in the way we treat each other. So, treating all people with decency and respect is essential to a functioning democracy. Also, detecting and preventing fake information is a way of preserving democracy and promoting free debate enriches it if taking place without bullying, in a secure environment. OBJCTIVE OF THE PROJECT We intend to take our students and school comunities to bring back history/memories and transport them into the future where lessons should be put in practice. We will promote listening to others, not only migrants and refugees around us, but also people with different cultures and beliefs from ours, and in this way promote empathy, respect, care, dignity, and integration while fighting prejudice (educate for social inclusion). We will learn and actively respect the values of democracy. We also seek to give students skills against the dissemination of fake news and promote the use of a safe environment on the internet. We propose a contribution to an innovative education marked by the use of new technologies and Open Educational Resources (OER). We’ll strengthen self-esteem by disclosing our cultur and learning that we are part of a common Europe, and in that process, develop language and communication skills. With the use of sports activities, we will help them building healthy bonds. Also we promote culture and creativity, not only knowing our new friends’ customs and traditions, but also exploring the expression of feelings and emotions through art. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS This project will directly benefit 72 students, accompanied on each trip by two teachers from each country. The total universe of students in the schools involved is 3765 and the total number of teachers is 358. By counting the families directly involved and the staff of the schools, the number of those involved is significant. The project also involves participants with fewer opportunities, estimated at 36, mostly from Portugal and Spain, which are mainly suffering from economic and social obstacles, educational difficulties and geographical obstacles (often more than one simultaneously). ACTIVITIES Logo Making; Icebreaking activities; Presentation of the Schools; Field trips; LTT’s on Open Educational Resources (Audio, Video, Design, Photography); Interviewing; Sport Activities; Website Design; e-Diary; Newsroom; Photo competitions; Cultural Nights; Cultural programs; Becoming eTwinning /TwinSpace Schools. METHODOLOGY We intend to use field trips as a method to materialize history and intangible concepts such as democracy and citizenship. Interviewing sessions will stimulate closeness and empathy with minorities. Employing TwinSpace/eTwinning as our privileged platform of comunication and dessimination. Use Art and creativity as a pedagogical support, exploring drawing, design, photography, music, video and writing. Dissemination practice sessions regarding Open Educational Resources applied to teaching will be scheduled in every meeting. We encourage social inclusion, language practice and healthy behaviors through the practice of physical activities. The levels of satisfaction and motivation will be measured using questionnaires after every meeting of the schools, involving teachers, students and parents. RESULTS AND IMPACT ENVISAGED The dissemination of good practices leads to stronger self-esteem. The use of new technologies will contribute to a more innovating education. Creating design objects will educate for creativity and active intervention and will expose the importance of its stimulation. Sports activities will educate for social inclusion. The improvement of English proficiency leads to help developing language and communication. POTENTIAL LONG TERM BENEFITS It is expected that STUDENTS will realize the importance of being intervening in their community, building and cherishing democracy, and also expand their horizons and raise their aspirations. To the TEACHERS it will provide unique professional development and experiences. The SCHOOLS will improve teaching and learning, raise their profile, learn from pedagogical and administrative practices of the other schools involved, and will stimulate proximity with the policymakers and the surrounding community. The COMMUNITIES involved will get closer to European Union values, realising their importance in their daily lives.