We learn & teach by reading

Istanbul - Day 2, February 13, 2024 - short report:

We spent the morning in a fruitful international discussion (Slovakia, Spain, Turkey) with the lecturer, who has mixed origins (father American, mother Turkish). Her name is Sue Sonia Herring, she lives in Istanbul. Terms such as evaluation of information sources, media literacy, digital literacy, identification of (un)reliable information sources, fact-checking techniques in the online space, recognition of fake news, distinction between the terms "information - disinformation - misinformation (a separate word in the vocabulary)" were debated. ".

We are teachers, so we also discussed the hidden dangers of the online space for children and young people. Resp. on how to protect children from the harmful influence of an unlimited stay in the online space. Efforts to return classic paper books to the hands of children and what the school/family/parent can do for this were also outlined. We had a discussion about whether regulations are/will be necessary for children and youth in relation to spending time in the online space, either by multinational portals (especially social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.), or by the governments of individual states, or by schools, or by individuals - teachers or parents.

In an informal debate, the lecturer revealed to us that in addition to her work as a lecturer, she is also a singer, an active musician. After the lecture, her footsteps headed for the studio.
It was a pleasant, creative meeting.

In the afternoon we saw Galata Tower, Taksim Square and Sultan Ahmet Square. In the evening, we took an experience cruise in the Bosphorus on the Pereme boat. The cruise also included great food, excellent drinks and a Turkish music and dance programme.

The 6th INTERNATIONAL MEETING from the project called "DIGITAL COMPETENCES AND READING SKILLS" - TURKEY 2024 - DAY 1

As part of the Erasmus+ international project "Digital competences and reading skills", we travelled abroad again. A delegation of 5 people from ZŠ s MŠ Pod Vinbargom in Bardejov is currently in Istanbul, a world-class historical and modern metropolis.

In cooperation with "DMR International Project Consultancy" based in Antalya, an international course for teachers from Slovakia and Spain on current social issues is currently taking place. Namely, media literacy and the fight against misinformation. The original idea of the project - to increase the level of reading skills of students and teachers - is harmoniously complemented with the chosen topics of teacher training.

So far we have completed the first day of the 5-day training. The morning's activities were topical, stimulating for critical thinking, and we are convinced that in today's "display age of media oversaturation" they are also very necessary.

In the afternoon we visited some of the world-renowned cultural monuments. The so-called The "Blue Mosque" (also called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) from the beginning of the 17th century is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul. The name "blue mosque" is derived from the rich decoration of the interior with blue square tiles. We also really liked the Hagia Sofia mosque. This architectural gem is a former Byzantine Christian temple, later a Turkish Muslim mosque on the Golden Horn in Istanbul. It is one of the most famous and important sacred buildings in the world, until the 16th century the building was the largest Christian temple in the world. We closed the day with a visit to the so-called "cisterns" in Istanbul. It is the largest cistern of the ancient world, which lies beneath Istanbul. It was built in the 6th century. Today it is maintained with a small amount of water for the public.

So far we are having a great time here, we have also tasted Turkish food and we are soaking up the multicultural atmosphere of a vibrant big city.

Greetings from Hungary.

We spent the first two days at the partner Hungarian school in Eger. With the introduction activities and advertising for Christmas, we started to fulfill the mobility goals step by step.
On Tuesday, we started the production of the Christmas story in comic form. On Wednesday (December 13, 2023), we took a day trip to Budapest. In the morning we visited the Buda Castle, the historical place of the Hungarian kings. We saw Sándor's palace (Sándor palato), or Buda Palace, the residence of the current Hungarian President Katalin Nováková. Nearby is the official residence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Karmelita Kolostor). We also had the opportunity to admire the St. Matthias Church (Mátyás templom), one of the most famous landmarks of Budapest. A slight rain made our time a little uncomfortable, but we did not let ourselves be discouraged. In the afternoon, we moved to the other side of the Danube, where we saw the St. Stephen's Basilica, named after the first Hungarian king Stephen I, whose mummified hand is kept in the reliquary of the church. We could not miss the building of the Hungarian Parliament (Országház), one of the national symbols of Hungary. This "architectural delicacy" is one of the oldest government buildings in Europe.

We are here, still alive 🙂, we are well, enjoying the week.

The 4th international meeting in Pisa, Italy

Another meeting of project partners within the Erasmus+ project "Digital competences and reading skills" is hosted by the city of Pisa in Italy. The activities started with the opening ceremony, in which all participating countries (Spain, Slovakia and Italy) took part in the program. In the afternoon, despite the unfavorable weather, we enjoyed local cultural monuments (the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral in Pisa, Camposanto citrine). Continuing the Italian week, the next day we visited the guest school Instituto Comprensivo Toniolo, where we got to know the educational system in Italy. Libraries, books, reading literacy became the main topic of the day. In the afternoon, while wandering around Pisa, we admired Keith Haring's work Tuttomondo. We ended the day with art, as usual, with Rossini's opera Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). The following morning, our students were part of the teaching process where they presented our language in the family of European languages by presenting our city, our culture and gastronomy. We spent the afternoon on a horse-drawn carriage in the nature reserve Riserva Naturale Lame di Fuori. Yesterday, beautiful Florecia charmed us with her infinite beauty and art. We visited several well-known historical monuments that have been breathtaking for centuries with their grandeur and majesty. Our eyes were enchanted by Palazzo Pitti, Ponte Vecchio, Organissanti, Basilica Santa Maria Novella, Baptistry and Florence's Duomo and Giotto Bell Tower. After a quick lunch, we refreshed ourselves with real Italian ice cream. In the evening, we said goodbye to Italy in the traditional Italian way - with pizza. Arrivederci Italy!

The 3rd international meeting in Spain

The project team led by Mgr. Petra Vasilega will be a guest at the Spanish school CEIP SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR. After a somewhat difficult journey, the students of our school welcomed their friends in Spain and stayed with their families, where they got to know different customs, culture, mentality, but also the food typical of this southern country.

Today's day of the Spanish week was marked by a visit to the historic town of Castril in the province of Granada. The city is a UNESCO protected area and is also a place where Christian, Jewish and Muslim peoples once lived side by side. We climbed to a place called Peña del Sagrado Corazón, where we could see the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape and learn about the history of the local people under the statue of Christ (the protector of the village).

The 4th day of the Spanish week within the Erasmus+ project was marked by water, kayaks, water bikes, swimming, frolicking and friendships with friends from Greece, Italy and Spain. After a short professional instruction, we spent a wonderful day at the Negratin reservoir. Hello!

Spain - Granada - Andalusia - school - olives - honey - chocolate.

The last day of the Erasmus+ meeting was marked by these words. We started the day with a tour of the school and familiarization with the Spanish educational process. The program continued with a visit to a nearby chocolate and honey factory. Each of us made our own chocolate, a propolis candle and took a glass of honey with us. Our faces were beaming with happiness, chocolate smiles and sticky honey fingers. But every laugh comes to an end... The final party was full of goodbyes, hugs, tears and sad faces not only of our children, but also of their "adoptive parents". Adios Spain!

The first day of the course on ICT and social media, their safe use in everyday life.

SLOVAKIA:

Former pupil of our school, František Gajdoš, plays for the Slovakian national team at the Ice Hockey World Championships

The world is currently watching the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championships in Latvia and Finland. Ice hockey is the number one sport in Slovakia, maybe in your countries it isn't. We would like to inform you that our former pupil, 21-year-old František Gajdoš, is also representing Slovakia. He is the first ever player from Bardejov to make it to the national team. This great defender studied at our school for 9 years. As you probably know, our school is focused on ice hockey, and many years of work “have brought its fruit”. František Gajdoš is a role model for all our current students who, in addition to studying, also play ice hockey. If you see a Slovak representative with jersey number 13, you are looking at our student :) Happy number 13 :) We keep our fingers crossed for him, as well as for the entire Slovak hockey team.

Visit to the Cultural Center in Lamia, where each team presented their country, city and school. The participants received a certificate from the mayor of the city. The host country Greece showed typical Greek dances.

The project team visited Meteora, a unique place in Greece - the second most important and largest Orthodox monastic centre in Greece. The team was walking up the stairs made into the rock.

The second international meeting of the project Digital Competences and Reading Skills is in Lamia, Greece. The famous battle of Thermopylae took place nearby.

https://youtu.be/45q3NNecT9I

Zo života škôl 24.02.2023 © Bardejovská televízna spoločnosť, s.r.o.