Video Conferencing

Following on front our Wow Factor and Basic Needs projects we held a video conference between the two schools. This was a fantastic experience for both sets of children, it allowed them to compare and contrast their ideas. The children were surprised that they both came up with the same ideas for what they thought were basic needs to survive, except that the children in Lebanon thought of electricity. We discussed this idea and came to the conclusion that in the UK this is just something we take for granted but in Lebanon they have frequent power cuts and supply is not always reliable. We then focused on the need for education with a special focus on the plight of Syrian refugees and considered why it is important for these children to have access to education. This was of particular value as some of the children taking part in Beirut have experienced this first hand and were able to give there own thoughts. The children in the UK found this especially powerful.

Basic Needs

Both schools looked at what the children need as  basic needs to survive with reference to the United Nation's 17 global goals. Students at both schools noticed that they have common basic needs (education, family &shelter). 

The Wow Factor

It is never enough to learn about character traits from reading a lesson or a story. Through this project it gave the children the opportunity to discover more about themselves and their friends. They  realised that they are all unique in their own way. This was especially relevant to those Syrian children many of whom are suffering from low self esteem and struggling at the start of the new year.  It will help the children realise that they have all got something special to give.


 

Children's rights FaceTime

After completing our project we had a FaceTime session to discuss what the children thought their rights should be and the reasons behind this.

Children's Rights A to Z

This term we have been discussing with the children what their rights are and what rights they think they should have. This lead to some very interesting discussions and debates about what they think they should be entitled to, overall the children came up with some excellent well thought out answers.

We then created an A to Z of children's rights with both schools taking an alternate letter.

Journeys FaceTime session

This morning we took part in a FaceTime session to discuss what we have found out during the project and compare and contrast our findings. As usual the children were eager to share their ideas and listen to each other's points of view.

Our route to school in the UK

In the UK we looked at the route the children in Lebanon took to school and compared this with our route to school. We noted any similarities and differences ready for the FaceTime session on Thursday.

Things we pass on the way to school

Journey to School

Through this project we have been developing geographical enquiry and skills, including using Google Earth or online mapping applications to investigate and present information about pupils’ routes to school.

Friendship FaceTime session.

This morning we have had a FaceTime session between the two schools, this concentrated on friendship and the qualities of friends. The children were interested in the similarities and were surprised they had the same qualities and did the same things with their friends in both countries.

Friendship project

We have been working at a project looking at the qualities of friendship, looking at our feelings of belonging or not belonging to particular groups. Through this project we also looked about how friendship can help with peace and how the qualities of friendship could make our world more harmonious.

FaceTime session

While Mr Cook was visiting Mohammad Shamel School we held a FaceTime session between the two schools. It was great to see the two schools chatting and asking questions to each other.

Dabke Dancing

The children at Frances Olive Anderson Primary School have been learning about the traditional Lebanese Dabke dance.

Children at Frances Olive Anderson practising their Maypole Dancing

Children from Mohammad Shamel School, Lebanon, Maypole Dancing

The Dancing Month

DANCING MONTH

Through this project the children gained a further introduction and embedding of each other’s cultural heritage.

The students researched about traditional dances  and music around the world and the meaning behind them, exploring their cultural heritage. After this each school focused on their partner school’s traditional dance and learnt the history behind it.

More video conference pictures, What we do at the weekend project.

What we do at the Weekend project.

This morning we have taken part in a facetime session with Mohammad Shamel School in Lebanon. We looked at how the children in both schools spent their weekends and we were surprised by similar they were. 

We also had visitors from Guadeloupe in to see how we use ICT in our partnership. They went away very impressed with all the hard work in both schools.

The finished instruction booklet.