Fifth project
meeting in Bilecik, Turkey
25th of
November to 30th of November 2013
From November the 25th to
November 30th 2013, 14 pupils and 18 teachers from partner countries
took part in the 5th meeting of the Comenius project “Strong Health,
hAppy PEople – SHAPE”, held in Bilecik, Turkey
The aims of the fifth meeting were:
- Presentation of activities made by each school
- Evaluation of the partnership progress
- Discussion of possible problems
- Decisions of the format of the next assignments
- Planning the next activities
- Reminding the period of future project meetings
- Comenius SHAPE products (website, mascot/logo, flag, song and dance, first questionnaires results, presentations, photos; CDs/DVDs)
- Familiarizing our guests with certain aspects regarding the Turkish culture and civilization and the Turkish educational system;
- Motivating the participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle by engaging themselves in the suggested activities.
The participants arrived on the 25th
of November 2013.
26th of November 2013 was
the school activities’ day. On this occasion, the guests were introduced to the
local staff and pupils. The school manager held a speech and a short
presentation of the partnership and accomplished activities was made. Pupils
from the 4th grade performed SHAPE song. We were offered a guided
tour of the school and nursery. After that we were welcomed by representatives
of the local authorities: the Director of National Education, the Governor of
the Province and the Mayor.
In the afternoon the local coordinators
met in a working session to discuss about aspects regarding the partnership’s
progress, the future activities, the responsibilities of each member of the
multinational team, the final products and ways of making them, the deadlines
for future activities and products. Meanwhile, students attended different
workshops held in Public Education Center in Bilecik: marbling, wood painting
and aluminum teaseling.
The 32 foreign pupils and teachers
attended “Survival Turkish” – a linguistic activity aimed at familiarizing them
with basic Turkish words and expressions.
All
participants, teachers and students, attended an aerobics class (Pilates hour
and belly dance class) – an activity designed to increase the participants’
motivation in adopting a healthy lifestyle which includes physical exercise.
Due
to weather conditions (heavily rain), we skipped the nature walk in the city.
On the 27th
of November 2013 we went to Bursa. First we visited Cumalikizik Village – an
old historical typical Ottoman village. We saw old houses and narrow streets
and had a traditional healthy snack in the village. After that we visited the
Botanic Park in Bursa where we rid the bikes for almost an hour and Ulucami,
the first mosque built by the Ottomans. In the afternoon we visited Iznik, the
former Nicaea town. There we saw how traditional tiles are decorated using the
old traditional methods of the Ottomans handicraftsmen. We also witnessed marbling
and pottery handicrafts. It was an unique experience during which we travelled
hundreds of years back by walking through Iznik’s old and narrow streets with
its unique workshops. After that we visited Ayasofya Mosque where the 1st
and 7th Christian councils were held before the Ottomans conquered
the town from the Byzantines.
On the 28th
of November, all students participated in sports competitions and funny games
at school. After that we all left to Eskisehir to visit the historical
Odunpazari Houses and Kurşunlu Kulliyesi and we also attended a demonstration
of glass-made crafts manufacturing. In the end of our documentary visit to
Eskişehir we took a boat-trip on river Porsuk.
On the 29th
of November we departed for Istanbul. We visited Topkapi Palace, the Ayasofya
Mosque and Museum, the Yerebatan Reservoir, the Blue Mosque and the Grand
Bazaar. It was an unforgettable travel in the past which helped us get
familiarized with elements of Ottomans/Turkish culture and civilization.
On the 30th
of November all participants departed to their country with great memories of a
big country with a rich history and very friendly and hospitable people.
The meeting’s programme was highly
connected with our project’s theme – healthy lifestyle – and gave the
participants the opportunity of improving their knowledge on other educational
systems and on other countries’ elements of culture and civilization.
On the 29th
of November we departed for Istanbul. We visited Topkapi Palace, the Ayasofya
Mosque and Museum, the Yerebatan Reservoir, the Blue Mosque and the Grand
Bazaar. It was an unforgettable travel in the past which helped us get
familiarized with elements of Ottomans/Turkish culture and civilization.
On the 30th
of November all participants departed to their country with great memories of a
big country with a rich history and very friendly and hospitable people.
The meeting’s programme was highly
connected with our project’s theme – healthy lifestyle – and gave the
participants the opportunity of improving their knowledge on other educational
systems and on other countries’ elements of culture and civilization.
Project Coordinator Hortensia Bogdan