Our project called ‘Sounds Around Us’ combines Science, ICT and Music to challenge our children to plan, design and create a range of open ended projects that foster and develop their creativity and innovation. There are four schools in our partnership. One from the UK, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
The objectives of the project are
– to create feeling of friendship and solidarity with European children during working on the same topics of project
-to develop teamwork among children of each partner country and creating sounds/ music which combine the skills and creativity
-to make children aware of the European cultural diversity introducing partners`countries through games, music etc.
-to help children find out about other countries´ traditions through mobilities and using ICT
-to improve our students ICT competence using Skype, facebook, emails and homepage in eTwinning
-to motivate pupils to learn, using innovative and creative teaching methods
– to experience the importance and pleasure of learning Science and ICT
-through this project the teachers will get the opportunity to broaden their horizon. The contacts with foreign colleagues could work reflectively. This project will sharpen their motivation and develop skills through sharing good practice of teaching and assessment procedures.
-to enhance a European dimension into school and local community making exhibitions and project-evenings for local community
We have planned five activities for children as well as five training sessions for adults. Each partner school has been given responsibility for organising and taking the lead on one of the activities planned.
The learning activities planned for children are –
– Exploring the links between electricity and sound/ Sound inventions – Science
– Music powered by electricity – exploring music as a form of communication that can change the way of feelings, thinking and acting; exploring and creating sound using new technologies – ICT
– Programming rhythm – ICT
– Composition – write a song about sounds – Music
– Music appreciation – exploring and responding to work of famous composers using electronic instruments – Music
During visits to other countries children and teachers will have opportunities to visit other classrooms, observe teaching strategies and engage in teaching and learning activities regardless of abilities or needs. The visits are also an opportunity to experience and engage with other European cultures.
The project will prepare pupils for their social and professional life, by stimulating their creativity, spontaneity, ICT competencies and language skills by working in a multicultural space. By the end of this project we would like to see a progress in children’s results in Science and Computing.
Parents and carers will have opportunities to be more involved and engaged in their children’s life, especially in disadvantaged areas.
Introduction
I am delighted to inform you that our school is taking part in Erasmus+ School Partnerships project called ‘Sounds around Us’.
About Erasmus+ –
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. It runs for seven years, from 2014 to 2020. Erasmus+ aims to modernise education, training and youth work across Europe. It is open to education, training, youth and sport organisations across all sectors of lifelong learning, including school education. It offers exciting opportunities for UK participants to then study, work, volunteer, teach and train abroad in Europe. To discover more about Erasmus+, visit https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/about-erasmus .
In November 2016 our school hosted participants from our partner schools – Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
In February 2017 two teachers went to Poland where children explored the links between electricity and sound as well as sound inventions through practical exploration.
In May 2017 four children and four teachers went to Lithuania where children investigated music powered by electricity; explored and created sound using new technologies.
In October 2017 four children and four teachers went to Poland where children learnt about rhythm.
In February (18th – 24th) 2018 four children and four teachers will go to Latvia.
This is a great opportunity for our children to visit a different country, to make new friends, to be able to communicate with children from different European countries.
Assistant Head
Natalija Zemcugova
In November 2016 we hosted our partner schools from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania in the UK. The teachers enjoyed observing the lessons, took part in a training about using ICT resources and met to agree the priorities of the joint project. Please view powerpoint below:
The group visited Victoria Academy in Wellingborough and Irchester Community School to become acquainted with the British educational system.
The group had a walking tour of Wellingborough, Northampton and Higham Ferrers to familiarise the visitors with the area in which our school is situated.
We set up our project page on TwinSpace. See link below:
https://twinspace.etwinning.net/28524/home
We took children on a visit to Kew Gardens where we observed the Hive and listened to the bees.
Latvia 2018
Some of our staff and children visited Latvia 19 – 24 February 2018 as part of the “Sound about us” project.
Sound Around us – Poland October 2017
See below powerpoint of trip in October 2017.
Erasmus+ Mobility to Poland
During the 20th – 24th February 2017, two Rowan Gate teachers visited Poland to hear about the next part of the project.
Science Workshops as part of Erasmus+
The first planned activity for the Erasmus+ project ‘Sounds around Us’ is exploring the links between electricity and sound as well as sound inventions through practical exploration and investigation.
At Rowan Gate the children took part in Science workshops where they explored and experienced sound in different areas: sound vibration, sound travel, guessing sounds or making sound using electricity.
All of the children engaged in the practical activities and had an opportunity to develop their understanding of electricity and sound. The activities were differentiated and adapted to suit all learning styles and needs.
As a result of this project the children created a digital resource to share with partner schools during the planned visit to Poland in February 2017 to communicate their learning and use of practical resources when exploring sound.
