Escola Secundária Manuel da Fonseca Santiago do Cacém - Portugal
Maths is our Common Language June 2013, Issue 3
Comenius Partnership School Project - 2012-2014 Bulgaria – St. Paisii Hilendarski, Parvomai Portugal – Escola Secundária Manuel da Fonseca
Slovakia – Gymnazium Snina
In this issue: 3rd meeting – Portugal -
Activities Workshops Visits
First Year evaluation - Students opinion - Teachers opinion - Parents opinion Next meeting Bulgaria 22-26 October 2013 Edition Mariana Pinela, Daniela Santos, Carolina Cruz
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A wonderful experience We have reached the end of the first year of our project – a halfway, so it is time to stop and think about how things have been running so far. I remember my feelings before our first project meeting. I was very excited to meet our partners for the first time but I was also a little bit nervous. I did not know whether we would really find “common language“ as the name of the project says. Fortunately, I soon realised that my worries were pointless. From the very beginning we have had so many things to talk about and we have learnt a lot about each other. On the other hand, I dare to say that even after the three meetings we have not discussed yet all that we want to know about ourselves (and that´s good because there are still three meetings ahead!). I think that Comenius project is a great idea how to connect European schools which can share information and experience. In my opinion, all participants have spent a valuable time together during the meetings, both the teachers and the students of our schools. We have had the opportunity to exchange information and our thoughts about the project, our schools, our countries and we have visited a lot of beautiful places. Moreover, all of us were able to practise and improve our English speaking skills and also learn some words in our partners´ languages. It has been very interesting but also useful and educational. I think that the first year was very successful and hope there will be another one. However, all above mentioned would not be possible without great cooperation. So, thank you Isabel, Valentina, Graca, Hristina, our schools´ headteachers, all the teachers – our colleagues and last but not least our marvellous students. Maria Vassova, Project coordinator Gymnasium Snina
The implementation of the project ”Maths is our common language” appeared to be an event in which students got included with quite an interest. In the process of searching for new information for the assigned tasks they broadened their knowledge in different spheres of life. During the work on the assigned tasks they had to work in teams, which was good for the communication between them, as well as for the development of their team work abilities. The meetings with students from different countries led to new friendships and communication in English, so necessary for them. The meetings in and outside the school became particularly interesting. Those who visited the countries of the partners had the wonderful opportunity to get aquatinted with their educational system, traditions and culture. Each forthcoming meeting was filled with so much excitement, thrill and expectations for something new. It seemed as if the term “mathematics” acquired a new meaning for them. From the different crosswords and games students had to prepare they got the impression that maths is more interesting and sometimes even fun. We somehow managed to break the idea about the “Boring science”. Simultaneously they estimated the importance and the necessity of mathematics. For the teachers the project had a fruitful role, too. By the questionnaire conducted among the students we acquired ideas of what students liked in their maths lessons in school and outside the school and what should we do to make it even more interesting. Velichka Ilieva, teacher in Secondary school “St. Paisii Hilendarski”
The project “Maths is our common language” is a wonderful idea to awaken students’ interest to mathematics. Through it they get the chance to go deeper into maths not only as a school subject, but as a part of everything surrounding us. As an English teacher I was pleased to learn that the work language is English. It’s a great opportunity for the students to practice the language and overcome their nervousness when using a foreign language. I’m glad to point out the desire with which they set to work and the enthusiasm they showed accepting the new challenges. And although they couldn’t always say what they wanted, they succeeded in finding the best way to understand each other and share their ideas. The games and the workshops organized during the meetings united the teams making the work atmosphere very pleasant. The laugh and the joy were following the students everywhere which is certainly a sign that most of the aims are accomplished. The project ”Maths is our common language” enriched all of us with new experience and knowledge and I sincerely hope that the second year of its implementation would be even more fruitful and successful. Hristina Georgiev, teacher in Secondary school “St. Paisii Hilendarski” The project ”Maths is our common language” offers a lot of new opportunities for me and my classmates. During the last year each of us learned many different and interesting things. We touched different traditions, customs and habits. We learned how to work in team very well. Even more, I became more responsible and self-confident. According to me it’s very nice for young people to be included in such things, because they get new experience, which may be useful in the future. You just broaden your world view and learn that with hard work and persistency you can achieve everything. One of the biggest advantages of the project is that it gives us the opportunity to be part of our new friends’ life and for them to be part of our world even for a while. This is so amazing and unforgettable and at the same time teaches us of so many things. I am very happy to be part of this project, because everything a went through and learned wouldn’t be possible if I wasn’t included. Kamelia Mitreva Project Comenius is a great chance to get unforgettable memories of cooperation with students from different countries. Our world needs active young people, who participate in multicultural projects. I could not join the project because of a lack of time, I did another afterschool activities at that time. I like meeting young people from different countries because it always helps me to communicate and improve my English skills. If I had another chance to work on the similar project, I would like to join. Martin Rusnak
The project “Maths is our common language” is a true Challenge for me - as a maths teacher and as a coordinator. As a maths teacher I notice that students get off mathematics more and more and lose their interest. This is one reason why I wanted to work on this project. Maths is really the language spoken by all nations. Everything around us is mathematics, without it would be more difficult to lead our daily life. Another reason for my desire to work on such a project was the challenge to meet other colleagues mathematicians from the partner schools. The sharing and the exchange of experience is always the best way for the teachers’ development. I found great teachers and friends. We shared our experience (even on the table cloth in the restaurant). We found that the resemblances in the methods of teaching are more than the differences. This exchange of experience enriched and developed me. Our students are excited by the same things. They love maths, but they are afraid of it. During the meeting in Bulgaria, after the presentation of the questionnaire, I asked if they liked maths. They answered that they do, but a big part is afraid to apply in university with mathematics because at a certain moment it becomes very complex. This was what I understood that they really need this project and this stimulated me even more in my work. Students’ participation in the implementation of different activities from the project makes them think about maths. Although we are still in the beginning of the new school year I notice interest to mathematics which makes me happy, because it is a sign that we are reaching our aims. The project ”Maths is our common language” is a real challenge for me as a coordinator. Thanks to the good team work between colleagues and partners we succeeded in the implementation of all tasks planned for the first year. We gained precious experience, unforgettable memories and true friendships. I hope that the second year of the implementation of the project will be even more challenging and interesting for us – students and teachers participating in the project. Valentina Stoyanova, teacher in Secondary school “St. Paisii Hilendarski”
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Miróbriga, Santiago do Cacém
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As a teacher who likes challenging activities, being a member of such a project was something I had in mind, and finally it came true! I must say that I was a bit apprehensive in the beginning because this was going to be the first time for me, for my students and for my school. We were all a bit nervous and expectant to meet the other colleagues’ schools, their language, culture, habits, countries, etc. When the time came for us to travel to Slovakia, it was a time of questions: students, teachers, parents were all involved and anxious about the moment we would leave to a country which is in fact completely different from ours. Who doesn’t remember the frightened looks of some students when they arrived in Snina? Who didn’t notice the difference in their behaviour as the week developed? And again it happened in Parvomay. I believe this was the best answer to our fears. Now that we know each other, both teachers and students, I would like to say that this year has been a great experience. Not only the students and teachers directly involved in the program but also the other students and teacher got involved and are now familiar with Bulgarian and Slovak students. Thanks to technology they keep in touch and have made friends. The “common language” we have developed is now more than numbers. We have learnt some words in the three languages of the countries in the project, we got acquainted with different cultures and our students are now more open to the world. It turned out to be a very educational experience for everyone. Finally I have a word for families that opened their houses to foreign students and welcomed them the best they could. I’m sure this was a wonderful experience for them as well; for the students and teachers of the three schools involved who worked and did their best; to the headmasters who helped and opened the doors of our school to our guests and also to the school staff who worked in the back. Thank you all! To conclude it occurred to me the Chinese Proverb "Tell me
and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand” and I would add and never Une nouvelle expérience forget. Isabel João, English Teacher in
Il y avait longtemps que j’avais envie de participerESMF à un projet Comenius. Et finalement, j’ai eu la chance de faire partie de ce projet “ Maths is our common language”. À la fin de la première année le bilan est très positif: nous avons échangé des expériences, nous avons connu de nouveaux pays et cultures, de nouveaux amis… Je me sens heureuse parce que nous avons encore une année pour pouvoir développer notre projet, se connaître mieux et continuer à partager… Graça Bernardo, professeur de français An opinion of a teacher not participating At the time of project planning process I was on the position of a deputy head. I knew about the project, its aims, objectives and program. For lack of time I did not participate in its practical implementation. I am very glad that our school is involved in this project, because it offers our students and teachers acquire and improve skills not only in Mathematics on which the project is focussed, but also in teamwork, social relations, planning and undertaking project activities and using ICT. Working with schools from Bulgaria and Portugal also gives them the opportunity to practice foreign languages and increases their motivation towards language learning. I strongly believe that even after successful completion of the project still remains friendship and cooperation between partners. Viera Hulmikova, English language teacher
An opinion of a teacher not participating
The school interchange program was a fantastic opportunity for my son to spend time with a student from a different country and to discover how their lives compare with ours. It was interesting to learn about family life as well as school life in Slovakia, we were always asking Patricia to tell us more and more. It was also intriguing to see how a girl of the same age spends their spare time and what interests and pastimes they have. I think this experience with a culture different to ours in Portugal was a great way to help build relationships with people from other nationalities in the future.
Generosa Lima, Pedro Lima’s mother
“We are all citizens of one world. To hate a man, because he was born somewhere else, because he speaks another language, because he thinks different of things, because he knows less or more than you know, what a misconception! We are all people and therefore not perfect. We all need help. Nobody is without obligations towards others”
Comenius once said. And in these words lean the importance of projects such as ours - to help students deepen their knowledge on cultures, devising tolerant, open-minded youngsters, aiming at good relations and mutual understanding between peoples and nations inside and outside Europe. AnabelaGonçalves, English Teacher in ESMF I took part in the Comenius project last year when I was still in 10th grade and up to them I had never experienced such a thing, I had always sat by the side lines. When I was given the opportunity to visit Slovakia for a week I didn’t hesitate in saying yes and, as a matter of fact, I don’t regret it. The week I spent there felt like I was stripped from inhibitions and fears of not being accepted. All of my foreign friends were very welcoming despite not knowing us at all. It all came down to a heartfelt goodbye and many new online friends. Given the chance I still wouldn’t hesitate in saying yes! Alexandra Rebelo
Hello! My name is Milena and I study in the Secondary School “St. Paisii Hilendarski”. During the last year the school worked on the project “Maths is our common language” and although I don’t take part in it I really got nice impressions about the project. In the course of several months I observed the hard work of those who participated in the project, I admired the enthusiasm and diligence they showed to achieve best results. Teachers, included in the project came after lessons and invited them for meetings - to discuss some stuff connected with the project. I was always curious and interested in the things they did during the last meeting. It was obvious that they had great desire to work. I think that projects of this type are very useful for the development of each person, because you get acquainted with new things: culture, language, traditions and of course you meet new people. What is more, you learn to work in team and be organized. Unfortunately this is my last year in this school and I will not have the opportunity to be part in such an initiative but to my schoolmates, teachers and other students I wish even more enthusiasm, more ideas, new knowledge and a lot of success. Milena Markova - 12th grade, Gymnasium Snina
Lisbon, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
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Matemática, a nossa língua comum.
Lisbon Portuguese traditional food
Matematika je náš spoločný jazyk.
Sines
Математиката е нашият общ език".
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