Mobility to Greece | openmindskillfulhand

LTTA C4 titled “Nature open roads to hands” held on September 26 - 30 2022 at 3rd Primary School of ELeftherio Kordelio Thessaloniki Greece. The meeting aimed to show participants how nature has influenced the live of people through the ages and this way to underline importance of the nature and the need of its preserving.

Mobility was preceded by a number of preparatory activities in all partner schools. Groups of students participated in workshops, took part in games, artistic tasks, solved puzzles, quizzes, performed drama scenes and movement classes both during various classes as well as during extra project meetings. Results of their works could be see online, at school exhibitions, presentations, posters and other chosen forms. The topics of interests included topics:

• Greek nature

• Birds of Greece

• Human thought in architecture- Greece

• Human thought in medicine- Greece

• Turning seawater into salt

• Macedonian architecture in Thessaloniki

• Thessaloniki- from antiquity to the present day

• Water- our treasure

• Water heals

• How does the water plant work?

• How does the water mill work?

• Herbs of Greece

• Proverbs and legends about salt and water

• What affects the development of the city

• Nature drives human hands to act.

The methodology of mobility’s activities took into account Socratic teaching as we focused on student-facing questions which challenged them and allowed them to engage in independent learning and thinking.. In order to achieve this goal, the hosts prepared worksheets and tasks related to the theme "Nature drives hands", in which ( some of 6) types of Socrates questions were used. We tried to use a multicultural approach, collaborative learning, scaffolding, problem solving, CLIL, ICT, interdisciplinary, methodology student-centered, promoting teamwork and inclusive learning during 5 days of common work. All activities during the mobility were linked and integrated with the previous activities of involved schools. They allowed for the verification of the content of the works performed during the preparatory period, their supplementation, extension of the content and gathering the collection of materials illustrating various issues. They also made it possible to take photos and collect materials for later use in their institutions.

Students became aware of the importance of the natural environment for the economy, human cultural and social development. They planted a tree, made candles, made healing cream out of herbs, beeswax and olive oil. They learnt some few Greek expressions, learnt to dance Greek dances, can recognize a few Greek dishes and herbs and spices typical for Greek cuisine. They can recognize a few plants and trees typical for south of Europe, learnt about water and salt importance through ages. The realized how water; geographic location and climatic conditions can determine local industry, but also rapid or slow social evolution.

Participants presented artworks (posters) showing the dangers of improper human activity and how is dependent on it on the common platforms (including eTwinning).

During the visit, participants had a chance to observe that the physical environment and climate influence mentality, character, posture and everyday life in general and this way they increased their awareness of sustainable development.

They:

• extended their knowledge about European countries

• enhanced critical thinking and creativity

• developed empathy

• got interest in new topics and inspiration for new activities

• improved problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills (including in English)

• exchanged experiences and ideas

• strengthened cooperation, creating bonds through the implementation of common elements

• get a chance to incorporate the acquired knowledge into school life and deal with important issues in an interesting and attractive way.

• produced self- made materials: photos, herbariums, oils, cream, ointment

• acquired broader, including global knowledge

• improved language skills (in English)