Connecting Classrooms - Newsletter ENA Cluster - nº 2 - English version by ENA Connecting Classrooms

April 2012

CC .EN A Cl uster Connecting Classrooms (CC)

Number 2 English version

30th January - The School Day of Non-violence and Peace

TwinSpace >>>>>

Contents: Anti bullying

Anti-Bullying in Bentley Wood, UK

Heart and

Digital poster contest 3 in ESCA

human lace of

The School Day of 3 Non-violence in Grece News from Czech Republic

Math, yes you can!

Make it Possible, ESCA

Young leaders training

O CC in Matosinhos 9 Multicultural activities in 10 Tibães Human cloning

CC in Park High School 14 School Dr. Joaquim Gomes 16 Ferreira Alves

peace © ESPL, P16

On the 30th January all the ENA Cluster´s schools got together for some interesting and different activities related to Bullying. The main purpose was to call the schools communities‟ attention to this social

Multicultural activities in Tibães

problem, in order to fight against it, and to promote peace among every school members. Pictures, texts and posters related to this activity can be seen on the following pages.

Another unforgettable date to the ENA Cluster was the 16th March…Students, teachers and guests held together in Mosteiro de Tibães, an activity organized by EB 2, 3 Mosteiro and Cávado School, about Multiculturalism. In this activity called “My World Represents Who I Am” took part all the ENA Cluster‟s Schools. Further information can be found on the next pages. © Ricardo Rodrigues, ESPL

Page 2

C C . ENA C lus te r The School Day of Non-violence and Peace a lot better, it was a really fun experience. It also made

Citizenship… non-violence video...

us realise that although there is violence in our world, there is a lot of nonviolence too – which is great.

Our Citizenship film is about non-violence/bullying. It is about

three mean girls who pick on a smart girl because they think that she is too weak to defend herself. In

Alicia Marsh, 7CR

Contact by Skype...

During the last term Year 7 have the end, the mean girls feel sorry been working on a project called for the girl they pick on because „Connecting Classrooms‟ in their she doesn‟t do anything to the Citizenship lessons. On Monday mean girls. 30th January a few pupils from each It just proves that if someone form in Year 7 were asked to parpicks on you or bullies you, they © Escola Secundária da Póvoa de Lanhoso (ESPL), P16 ticipate in a special activity. We would either say sorry and become were lucky enough to have the opportunity friends with you or they give up. You don‟t have to settle

everything with violence.

Cherise Jarrett, 7CRo – Bentley Wood High School

In citizenship we made a video which was about nonviolence. Through making the video it made us think what nonviolence is, and we had to show our understanding of nonviolence through this video. We also needed to show that violence is the wrong way of handling a bad situation. Each group had a different idea to show non-violence, my group decided to go with bullying. We showed a person who was weak and smaller than the three bullies getting pushed around and badly scratched. But the three bullies followed their conscience and agreed violence was not the answer. Through making the video our group understood non-violence

to speak to some Portuguese students on Skype and talk to them about world peace.

We had to think of some questions to help us learn about their opinions, and the Portuguese students asked a few questions as well.

„It was a great experience to talk to pupils across the globe.‟ Anisa Morina, 7CRo „The Portuguese students gave some great advice for victims of bullying.‟ Katy Hulatt, 7CRo Anisa Morina and Katy Hulatt, 7CRo

In Póvoa de Lanhoso Secondary

inside the Rib, some “I performances were Took The Anti-Bullying made by groups of stuPledge”, were given to dents. all school members takSeveral talks about Peace and Connecting ing part in an Classrooms‟ activity reproject were lated to antiheld in the bullying . school auditoSchool t-shirts with a message,

In the classrooms teachers showed videos about the theme, in order to make students aware of bullying at

In the school open yard, a huge Human Rib was built up. Meanwhile, school.

rium. A videoconference from other Portuguese schools which belong to ENA Cluster‟s project was established. The day ended up with the Connecting Classrooms hymn, sung by many students and teachers who got involved in these activities.

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 3

The School Day of Non-violence and Peace 2

1º, 2º and 3º prizes - Digital poster contest in Escola Secundária Carlos Amarante 3

Non-violence … activities in Greece On 6/3/2012 the students of the 70th High School of Athens, in the frame of the establishment of March 6th as Panhellenic Day against School Violence, developed and organized several actions and as a first attempt to get in touch they are sharing with you some of the work done by them.

Kolovou Aikaterini, Headmistress of 70th High School of Athens.

Page 4

C C . ENA C lus te r The School Day of Non-violence and Peace

Posters in Escola Secundária Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves

The School Day of Non-violence and Peace … at ESCT In 2012 Guimarães is the European Capital of Culture and its symbol is a heart, not a static but a dynamic heart and therefore it can take many variations. This symbol was based on the wall of the castle of Guimarães, the visor of a knight‟s helmet and the love of the inhabitants of Guimarães for their city. This symbol is also "an open window to each personal vision or a blank canvas for any individual expression (…) it values cultural diversity (…) it calls for popular participation (…) it is open to any individual vision because it does not exhaust itself into a closed set of characteristics" (John fields). Thus, it is only natural that this heart was also the chosen symbol to promote PEACE by the Connecting Classrooms project in Caldas das Taipas Secondary School.

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 5

News from Czech Republic... … Spring workshop ... Spring Workshop for the attendees of the Day Care Centre “Jitrenka” - 3rd April 2012, Business Academy, Chrudim, Czech Republic.

The Business Academy Students prepared and organised a traditional spring workshop for the © Business Academy

physically, mentally and sense disabled attendees of the Day Care Centre “Jitrenka”. They made

together spring decorations, such as lambs and flowers. The Business Academy students were given a wonderful gift – Easter decorations made by the attendees of “Jitrenka” themselves. All

involved enjoyed the time spending together and are looking forward to the next meeting in June. Sarka Pudilova

1000 - Level II. - Einstein; Os catetos;

Cauchy – Level III. In the quiz “Math, yes you can!” put at work by class D, 10th grade, from Secondary School of Póvoa de Lanhoso, 17 Portuguese teams from ENA and a Greek team have

participated in it. The teams which have succeeded and are now on the second stage of the quiz are:

- The numbers team; Magical Squares; Happy

None of the teams has reached the necessary levels to move forward the 2nd stage. Next stage begins with the

problems presentation online on 19th April, which can be answered until April 26th. Pay attention! The final outcomes will be published in the next Newsletter. Thank you to all of you and good luck for those who are still competing. Iva Azevedo

Page 6

C C . ENA C lus te r CC in Escola Secundária Carlos Amarante... … Women‟s International Day ... Gender inequality is often understood in terms of female disadvantage, but it can equally well be understood in terms of male privilege. Since our class groups are young boys we decided to sen-

sitize them for the still existing gender injustice sustained in large part by men‟s attitudes and behaviours, with an exhibition of the latest news given the fact of men‟s unjust privileges. Students discussed whether men should promote gender equality. The conclusion was that advancing towards gen-

der equality benefit man in their wellbeing, personal relationships, beyond community interests.

Students made resolutions to promote gender equality wishing to be male role models. © ESCA

ESCA >>>>>

“...gender equality

… Valentine‟s Day ... Students got informed about Valentine‟s Day consumption related facts, which have harmful impact on the environment. Then they showed their feelings for the ones they love producing love messages both in Por-

benefit man in their

tuguese and English, together with simple ideas

well-being, personal

of extra love for the environment. They made

relationships, beyond

suggestions for an Eco-Valentine‟s Day, which included the choice of offering organic and

community interests”.

Conceição Ribas and Quitéria Mateus

for reusing and recycling, which also shows a bit

locally grown flowers and eating at home local

regional products, such as the St Valentine‟s cake. The class 11PCC was awarded with the first prize in the contest promoted by the school library Conceição Ribas and Quitéria Mateus

… tribute to Zeca Afonso... 25 years after Zeca

could enjoy freedom of speech.

ments that account for

Afonso‟s death students

Students also translated into

showed their pride in

English, in a free version, some of

this public recognition

honouring this extraordi-

his poems studied in the Portu-

nary Portuguese teacher,

guese class.

groups of students and teachers

For the tribute line up

and sing some of his most popu-

ing in calameo – digital

promoted by our

lar songs, while others recited

publications – relevant

school library students

timely political and social satirical

findings regarding his life,

presented a powerpoint

poet, songwriter, interventionist singer, present-

his work and his resil© ESCA

ience so that everyone

slideshow with 12 argu-

at school, which also included that organized themselves to play

poems Conceição Ribas and Quitéria Mateus

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 7

CC in Escola Secundária Carlos Amarante... … Make it Possible Project (M!P) ... We joined a global initiative aiming at proactive young people to help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals Every student in the English language course, both in Regular and Vocational Courses participated in this innovative programme whose main topic is “The Millennium Development Goals”. Our students had the opportunity to know a little bit of the AIESEC visitors‟ national language, traditions, history, food and clothing. The AISEC students organized lessons to sensitize our high school students in specific issues such as women situation, human rights, political challenges and goals for the millennium. It was very inspiring for youngsters to become responsible citizens of the world – “AISEC are those to follow”, so they say. Conceição Ribas and Quitéria Mateus

… Flash Mob - Project “We are all Europe”... On March 8, 2012, students from classes I, O, M, N , P (11th grade) participated in a Flash Mob downtown to draw people‟s attention to the need of getting concerned about discussing

and finding solu-

A group of 12 students from Carlos Amarante High

tions for Europe 2020.

school, class 7A. participated in the school contest “Maths, Yes We Can!”.

Adelina Moura

They were divided into teams of four students and got involved in this activity promoted by Póvoa de Lanhoso High school for the project “Connecting Classrooms” with enthusiasm to show that solving Maths problems can be fun. Manuela Carvalho

… Volunteering ... At Carlos Amarante High School multidisciplinary boosts solidarity and voluntary service. Three classes – 10 M, N (course of Arts) and 11 A – promoted a collection of goods (food, clothing, toilet-

ries and toys) for families in need in the local community.

In order to be eyecatching they used the flooring technique that makes part of the school curriculum of Maths to decorate card boxes and placed them

in the school library. The school subjects Civic Education and English also

played a major role in the success of this initiative Maria da Luz Miranda and Manuela Carvalho

Page 8

C C . ENA C lus te r Young leaders training... In this school year, Caldas das Taipas and Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves Secondary Schools joined The Connecting Classrooms, for that reason their students had the opportunity to attend a course for “Young Leaders”. On the 22nd March, we, a group of students from Escola Secundária de Caldas das Taipas, participated in a training for

We formed three different groups mixing the students from both schools and received a task: to create a pro-

Young Leaders in Porto. There we met another group from Valadares and Ricardo Silva, the

ject which each group should develop. The final task was to make that project come true.

trainer. He is a very interesting person with a long experience on the subject. The interaction between the two groups was great, and we made

Joining this training was interesting, entertaining and dynamic, and it gave us tools to create and lead group projects. Being together has also

new friends. The training was about learning how to lead teamwork as well creating and managing projects.

made us stronger. Ana Catarina Ferreira, 10ºC

Young leaders training in Greece Our cooperation began on the 24 and 25/1/2012 with our participation in the two day seminar with the subject “Young Leaders Training” which was organized in the 2nd High School of Lavrio.

We want to help! "Connecting Classrooms” is, as everyone knows, a Project directed to the issues of multiculturalism, inclusion, therefore the promotion of values of tolerance, solidarity and respect for the human rights. Having this in mind, the ENA Cluster

is going to promote an activity of solidarity to help

an institution that, right now, is going through a moment of serious financial problems: Associação

Portuguesa de Pais e Amigos do Cidadão Deficiente

Kolovou Aikaterini, 70th High School of Athens

Mental (APPACDM) / Portuguese Association of Parents and Friends of the Mentally Disabled Citizen. This activity- The Game of Celebrities - consists of a futsal game between a team made up of different famous people and another one made up of ENA Cluster elements. The game will take place at Universidade do Minho, on the 8th June of the present year, at 3p.m., with the purpose of raising funds to help the APPACDM. We expect the presence of 1740 participants, mostly students.

If you are interested in participating, you can contact us through the e-mail: espl.connecting@gmail.com

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 9

CC in Escola EB2,3 de Matosinhos Formação de Operadores de Infor-

played at the school en-

mática) created some posters concern-

trance so that the entire

ing “Inclusion and Volunteering” in order to call their schoolmates attention to such an important issue. The students were sensitised about this topic in the English classes and decided to build posters with faTwo classes of the School EBI/JI de Ma-

mous quotes related to the

tosinhos, namely CEF EC (Curso de Edu-

mentioned issue. The

cação e Formação de Empregados Comer-

posters will be dis-

ciais) and CEF OI (Curso de Educação e

school community has access to them. Andreia Mendes

Page 10

C C . ENA C lus te r Multicultural activities - Mosteiro de Tibães My world is as big as what I Know

“we all felt that the whole experience at Tibães was extremely rewarding and had a very positive impact on the participants, contributing to the celebration of friendship

On March 16, class 10C of Cal-

dents of Póvoa de Lanhoso Sec-

ity. This activity was also inter-

das das Taipas Secondary School

ondary School appealed to vast

esting because of the dynamic

(ESCT), along with students from other classes of the same school,

participation by the audience. There was also a beautiful pres-

interaction established between the speakers and the audience.

participated in the activity Multi-

entation in sign language by the

At the end, a delicious snack was

culturalism - "my world is the

students of Matosinhos EB2/3

offered to all the students.

size of what I know" that took

School and a performance of the

place in the monastery of Tibães,

'Romeo and Juliet' play by the

Braga, under the project Connecting Classrooms.

vocational students of Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves Secondary

the

monastery

Tibães, students from all the ENA Cluster schools had the opportunity to

and tolerance as

enjoy and share the mu-

well.”

formances they had pre-

Ana Ferreira, ESCT

ography presented by the stu-

the whole experience at Tibães was extremely re-

School. Finally, the Rope Skipping

warding and had a very

performance by the 'Molinhas'

positive impact on the

from Caldas das Taipas Secon-

participants, contributing

dary School got the enthusiastic

applause of the audience.

friendship and tolerance

the

celebration

as well.

sic, drama and dance perpared. Particularly, the chore-

In general, we all felt that

In the afternoon, students and accompanying

were

Ana Catarina Ferreira 10ºC,

invited to participate in lectures

teachers

Escola Secundária das Taipas

on cultural diversity and solidar-

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 11

CC in Escola EB2,3 de Matosinhos Two classes of the School EBI/JI

be a school voting on the best t-

dents showed some worries

de Matosinhos, namely CEF EC

shirt design and the winner de-

concerning nowadays food habits,

(Curso de Educação e Formação de Empregados Comerciais) and

sign will be printed on t-shirts that will be offered to the partici-

because there is an unhealthy consumption of fast food and an

CEF OI (Curso de Educação e

pants of the project in the

increasing number of obese peo-

Formação de Operadores de

school.

ple in our society. The students

Informática) and students from the class 8ºF are also working on the creation of the “Connecting Classrooms” t-shirt. There will

The students from class 8ºF gave their contribution to the “Good Practices Book” by working with

created different PowerPoints where they focused on the disadvantages of this kind of food.

the topic “Fast Food”. The stu-

Andreia Mendes

The t-shirts will be divulged in a specific site for the contest that will elect the ENA Cluster T-shirt.

My world is as big as what I Know

“My world is as big as what I Know” and “We are the others” – this year‟s motto – are Connecting Classrooms slogans. The activities developed within this project and, in particular,the one that took place in “Mosteirode Tibães” together with the ENA cluster‟s schoolsallowed everyone involved to reflect on the importance of © fotos: Ricardo Rodrigues, ESPL

broadening horizons, of knowing other nations in order to understand them better and, thus, helping to build peace. This multicultural activity, organized by EB2, 3Mosteiro e Cávado school integrates one of the highest events of the current year. To the

teachers, Cristina Gonçalves, and, Maria da Luz Sampaio, our gratefulness to the admirable way they kindly received us. Teresa Lacerda, ESPL

Cristina Gonçalves

Page 12

C C . ENA C lus te r CC in Escola Secundária da Póvoa de Lanhoso … human cloning…

Presentation in >>>>

Video in >>>>

Cloning of animals and specially human beings brings up big social, ethical and moral problems. Can human cloning have therapeutic and/ or reproductive purposes? Should it be forbidden in both situations? What kind of consequences may result from this practice? May human dignity be at stake? In order to know the opinion of the young students involved in the Connecting Classrooms Project about this issue, the students from Year 11, classes A and C from Póvoa de Lanhoso Secondary School (ESPL) and one class from Caldas das Taipas Secondary School (ESCT), developed some research and promoted a debate as part of the Biology/Geology and English subjects, where each working group took a different position. So it was possible to hear the opinions of the geneticists, doctors, bioethics teams, members of different religions, elements in favour of human cloning and general public.

The result of all the investigation was debated on the 17th January 2012 at Póvoa de Lanhoso Secondary School and on the 23rd March at Caldas das T aip as S ec on d ar y School. During the session at Póvoa de Lanhoso Secondary School, the different groups made some presenta-

tions of their points of view. (links in the left side of page). The issues about therapeutic and reproductive cloning were analysed on different perspectives. The group representing the doctors stated that they mostly don‟t agree with the reproductive cloning. They do defend the therapeutic cloning, especially organ cloning. The representative of

the group concluded by saying: “Cloning can save lives.” The group representing the Christians and Islamists are against all forms of cloning , while Judaism accepts cloning in special cases; for the Jew, human cloning may be used to cure diseases as for them the human being is “a partner of Good in the continuous act of creation” (Rabbi Adrian Gottfried, Shalom Community) During the debate several members of the public gave their opinion on the subject. In general they just agreed with therapeutic cloning, stating that the cloning of organs has no irregularities or aggression to human dignity since it uses embryos, which are not considered life. How-

ever other members of the public argued that any type of cloning is unethical! One of the issues related to human cloning, which was debated was the fact that not everyone can afford to clone themselves because of the costs required to obtain a clone. People with less money wouldn‟t be able to get a clone of their own, while that would be possible for the upper middle or high classes. We can conclude that reproductive cloning is an option rejected by most of the participants; many of them even argued that the defenders of reproductive cloning are mainly thinking about creating a clone so that it can be used “as a toy and to do what we do not like doing.” Therapeutic cloning is accepted by most people in the audience and by some groups represented in the debate. The opinions of the ordinary citizens were not unanimous, perhaps because of lack of information, as we can conclude from the results to the survey presented in the article on page 13.

As a summary of this debate we should ask the following question: “When does life begin?” It is worth stopping and thinking.... the answer to this question will, surely, influence the position of each of us about human cloning. José Alberto Silva, Mónica Oliveira, Tânia Oliveira, Tiago Barbosa, 11º A – ESPL

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 13

The CC ordinary citizen and human cloning Graphic1

Right answer

We produced a survey about cloning, in particular, human cloning. The pur-

pose was to know the opinion of the citizens related with the ENA Cluster schools in the four countries involved in the project.

We got 158 answers, from 103 women and 55 men, with ages beginning at 15 years old, with different educational levels. 80 of the respon-

dents were from Portugal, 37 from the Czech Republic, 20 from Greece, 17 from the UK, 1 from India, 1

from Afghanistan, 1 from Kosovo and 1 from Mozambique ( these last answers can be explained by the fact that we have used an online survey). The full results can be consulted at >>>> but we will show here the most representative: Most people know that the process of cloning corresponds to the “Process of producing genetically equal Graphic 6

Graphic 2

individuals”. They also know that the first cloned animal was Dolly (graphic 1). However there is a large number of people that ignore the fact that cloning can happen both with animals and plants (20%, graphic 2) and 67% (graphic 3) don‟t know about the different applications of cloning, which can be effectively, natural, reproductive or therapeutic.

Right answer

Graphic 3

The treatment of diseases is the greatest advantage mentioned when people defend human cloning (60% graphic 4) and the biggest disadvantage is the “degradation of human identity” (graphic 5) 35% of the people surveyed are against human cloning and 24% are for. However, the majority has no opinion on this issue (41%- graphic 6), which shows that this discussion must keep on being promoted in the different areas of society.

Ana Rita Silva, Ângela Afonso, Joana Cancela, Patrícia Rodrigues, 11º A - ESPL

Right answer

Graphic 4

human identity social adaptation for the clone of the clone

Graphic 5

Page 14

C C . ENA C lus te r

CC in Park High School, UK... In High School Park in London several activities have taken place related to the Project Connecting Classrooms. In this edition of the Newsletter we can see the photographic news report of some of those activities.

School Website >>>>

In these actions the students socialized with the rest of the participants, understood “the side of the other”, had fun and collected £600 for “The Disability Foundation” (TDF). This association was founded in 1928 and is devoted to support people with chronic diseases.

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 15

CC in Park High School, UK... … International evening… get involved – HELP OTHERS!

Gastronomy of diferent countries

Performances and music

Jo Lambert (in left) and guests

Page 16

C C . ENA C lus te r Escola Secundária Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves...

… Opening Day Connecting ... © ESJoaquimGomesFerreiraAlves

To start the opening day “Connecting Classrooms”, stu-

dents sang and played a Blog >>>>>

version of the song “Imagine” from John Lennon along with a choir of students from the 8th grades. The school activities stopped for about 25 minutes so that all the participating students, teachers and school staff could partake in this activity which consisted of an

human lace in the outdoor school space conGFA Tv >>>>>

bolizing peace and

LCDs. The report of the events

hope. We also launched white

were made by the students from “multimedia” and by the School

balloons with messages inside

Newspaper ”Impressões” pro-

referring to peace, inclusion and

moted by students from the 12th

stituted by all the par-

cultural diversity in several lan-

ticipating students,

guages and with an email address

school staff and stu-

for eventual answers. Through-

dents from the unity of autists, all dressed in white and green, sym-

the theme “We are the Others”, were broadcast on the school

students from “Turismo” made the protocol of the day. We built

out the morning, images under from the documentary “Babies”,

grade of “Humanidades”. The

a mural with the sentences sent in the balloons and others to be completed. © ESJoaquimGomesFerreiraAlves

GFA Radio >>>>>

That day, a

cinema cycle was started

with themes related to the ConFacebook >>>>>

necting theme “We are the Others” – films such as “Gran Torino”, “Billy Elliot”, “Desert Flower”, Water”, “Kandahar”, “Invictus” were presented for four weeks.

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 17

Escola Secundária Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves… ...Second term... Along the second term, we organized

meeting of all the participating Con-

our online page for our students‟

necting schools from the North.

works and news of the project. In philosophy and in articulation with English, the Human Rights were translated and debated. The

students

directed films translated in

The environment theme was also dealt with in English subject by 11th grade students with powerpoint presentations and the organization of a study visit. The 10th and 11thgraders

English about Ethical di-

from CursosProfissionais wrote sen-

lemma – The Problems in our

tences about peace, inclusion and di-

Contemporary World and worked on a WebQuest about cultural diversity also translated into English. The WebQuest was also proposed to the foreign schools from the

versity which were transformed into postcards by the students from “Multimédia”. The postcards will be sent to some of the participating schools from the cluster. We

also

Cluster. In the project Workshop of

included in this project the

Ideas, a contest with debate and videos

initiative “Make It Possi-

direction about the Problems of the

ble”, which is also a volun-

Contemporary World and We and Others: participation and citizenship has

teering project to call the

already been regulated. 12th grade

youngsters‟ attention to the

students from “Áreas de Expressão”

world problems and encour-

prepared a theatre play which they

age their will to accomplish

presented in St. Valentine‟s Dayto the

the eight great millennium

users of the institutions where they will do their internship (mostly retire-

goals. With the two volunteers‟ mo-

ment homes). The activity was opened

tivation at our school, a Serbian and a

to the community and they sold love

Slovak, the students debated and pre-

cookies. They also presented the play on 16th march in Tibães during the

sented valuable work which can be seen in our sites.

Poem - We are the others

C C . ENA C lus te r Escola Secundária Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves... … OUR GFA DAY (School Day)...

The 12th graders organized several activities for the 9th graders – crosswords, word searches, powerpoints and table games about the human rights and world problems; they also did two different performances (one

in the morning and another in the afternoon) about cultural diversity, globalization and the way to solve the related problems; the 8th graders sang “Hold My hand” to the visiting students. In another room, the philosophy teachers presented the works developed in the project “Workshop of Ideas”.

On the School Day, 2nd March, we had a room for the project Connecting Classrooms. We kept the mural from the opening day so that the visiting students could also contribute with sentences about the theme “We are the Others”. Throughout the day we had activities related to the world problems – the volunteers from the project “Make It Possible” gave their contribution with presentations not only about their countries but also about the eight millennium goals for the underdeveloped countries.

Page 18

… Young leaders training... On 22 March, 12 students from our school went to IPJ to attend a training course whose aim is to train young people to be young leaders. Other students from Taipas went there too and together we were supposed to develop a project under any topic. The main goal of the training course was to connect students from different schools of the country and help them to be better able to deal with the connecting classrooms project. So that we were divided in three groups with students from Taipas and Valadares, within help us to accept new cultures and new points of view.

In my opinion the training course was very rewarding because I learnt more about other cultures and I had the opportunity to improve the work in group and the knowledge of how I should be in group works. It was an

During the day we conducted numerous activities in order to know each other better and establish ties to maximize the work.

amazing experience that I will

never forget, because of all the knowledge and friends that I got in that training course. Ana Rita Gonçalves, 10 º B

Number 2 English ver sion

Page 19

Secundária das Taipas CC Secundária da Póvoa de Lanhoso Connecting Classrooms is commitment, dedication, cooperation, inclusion and, without doubt, celebration…it was what the students from Caldas das Taipas and Póvoa de Lanhoso Secondary School did last 23rd March in Taipas. On this day, the students presented the result of a research work about human cloning done within the Biology/Geology and English subjects; they also organized a lunch with tasty delicacies and had lots of fun with the Karaoke :)

On March 23rd, 2012 the two

we talked about things like the

was nice to share and taste different

schools, Secundária de Caldas das

benefits/problems it brings, the

food each one had brought.

Taipas and Secundária da Póvoa de

doubts it poses as well as the real-

Lanhoso met together for an inter-

ity about the research on this topic.

esting debate which was followed by a special lunch (which is carried out every year in our school).

those famous and funny songs like

each with different perspectives

“It‟s

representing different areas, as for

“Barbie Girl”.

example Common Citizens, Doctors,

issue that raises a lot of

Geneticists, In Favor Of and Religion.

nowadays,

mainly ethical ones - Genetic

Manipulation/

Cloning. We discussed different points of view about this topic,

time”, where we sang together all

We were organized in five groups,

The debate was about an questions

The next moment was the “karaoke

There was also a moderator / jour-

Final

Countdown”

To finish the day, we took a picture of the whole

nalist asking questions to each

group and said goodbye

group and also to the audience.

hoping to meet again!

After the conclusion of the debate we got together to have lunch. Besides all the decoration things, it

Webinar - Connecting Classrooms

After an invitation of the General Educa-

of the work developed by the schools,

tion Board (Direção Geral de Educação-

especially the ones of ENA Cluster, were

DGE), the Connecting Classrooms was

presented in this event. To see the We-

the theme of Webinar on the 8th March.

binar, you just have to follow the link

The project, Twinspace (collaborative

>>>>>>>>>>

working space in eTwinning ) and some

the

Ana Ribeiro, Ana Gomes, 11ºE

Secundária das Taipas CC 4-2nd High School of Lavrio Escola Secundária de Caldas

opportunity to share well-

Ângela Pereira.

das Taipas has been working

known Portuguese folktales

When the work was finally

Bentley Wood High School -

on a stimulating project with

and culinary customs with

completed and sent,

European coordinator school

Greek 4-2nd High School of

their Greek friends. The

teacher Dora Mouriki was

of ENA Cluster.

Lavrio. Teacher Dora Mouriki

information was collected

really impressed and

School Website >>>>

is collecting information

and organised by class 10Q

congratulated the students

about traditional stories,

under the supervision of

for their hard work.

festivities and recipes from all

teacher Ana Paula Passos

Portuguese students, on

over the world for an e-book

and later translated into

the other hand, were also

that she and her students are

English by classes 10J and

pleased because of all the

producing. Classes 10J, 10Q

11F with the help of

new things they learned

and 11F seized this

teachers Rosa Barros and

about their own culture

Portuguese coordinator school of ENA Cluster. School Website >>>>

Students from 11°F

Acknowledgements: Ana Guedes, Ana Teixeira, Andreia Mendes, Ângela Pereira, Conceição Ribas, Dulce Ventura, Isabel Friande, Manuela Lourenço, Rosa Carvalho (Thanks for helping in translation)

Connecting Classrooms ENA Cluster Published by Escola Secundária da Póvoa de Lanhoso Rua da Misericórdia 4830-503 Póvoa de Lanhoso espl.connecting@gmail.com Telef: 253 633 338

British Council - Porto Rua do Breiner, 155 4050-126 Porto Telef: 222 073 060 DGE - Ministério da Educação Av. 24 de Julho, 140 1399-025 Lisboa Telef: 21 393 45 00

Reading suggestions: Brave New World - Aldous Huxley, 1932 by Teresa Lacerda, Escola Secundária da Póvoa de Lanhoso “One egg, one embryo, one adult-normality. But a bokanovskified egg will bud, will proliferate, will divide. From eight to ninety-six buds, and every bud will grow into a perfectly formed embryo, and every embryo into a full-sized adult. Making ninety-six human beings grow where only one grew before. Progress.” No, it is not a recent quote – it is already eighty years

old and is part of the book Huxley wrote imagining the world in 2500. However, what seemed, at that time, a delirium is currently, technically, possible, but is it desirable? A fascinating book whose reading is essential and that will-

help us reflect on the interest of investing in human cloning for reproductive purposes.

This edition had the collaboration of all ENA Cluster‟s Schools.