Short-term exchanges of groups of pupils in Vilnius Emilija Pliateryte Progymnasium, Lithuania
On November 4-9, participants of the Erasmus + KA2 project “Skillful Thinking — Active Learning” from Estonia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Italy visited Vilnius Emilija Pliateryte Progymnasium. A total of 16 students and 6 teachers. Students from foreign countries were kindly welcomed by the families of Lithuanian school pupils, so they could not only observe our learning environment, but also learn about the traditions and customs of Lithuanian families.
On November 2, guests from Italy had already arrived. They were greeted and accommodated by the families of school pupils in their homes. The next day, November 3, Italian guests and their Lithuanian families visited Trakai, visited the castle exposition, got acquainted with Karaite culture and tasted their culinary heritage – the kibinai.
On Monday, November 4, while students from Estonia, Bulgaria, Turkey were coming to Vilnius by plane, Italian students as well as their Lithuanian families visited Kaunas.
In the evening, all participants of the project gathered at Ethno Manor for a welcome dinner where they met and discussed educational topics of common interest to all parties.
On November 5, the school hosted non-traditional lessons to develop critical thinking through active teaching methods. The first lesson was attended by the project pupils, who were able to observe the education process of their Lithuanian peers. After the first lesson, foreign teachers were welcomed in the school lobby: pupils in groups welcomed them in their mother tongue (Estonian, Turkish, Italian, Bulgarian); danced a welcome dance. After that, all the participants met with the headmaster, and later our students told them about Vilnius Emilija Pliateryte Progymnasium.
During third and fourth lessons guests from abroad went for a walk in the school and went to classes to learn about students and the learning process. After the third lesson, there was a live train moving around the school during the break, which invited all members of the school to join, bringing together our guest and school communities.
During the fifth and sixth lessons our and foreign students played a variety of team games in the school hall, and at the same time, the coordinators from all partner-schools started planning activities for this project.
In the afternoon, foreign students and their Lithuanian families took part in an excursion around Vilnius.
On November 6 the pupils of the project had different activities. During the first lesson they had a quiz about Lithuania. The second lesson was led by Helen Paju, the co-ordinator of this project. In mixed groups, the students were required to perform logical thinking-developing tasks. Later, the children were divided into teams to solve various tasks and test their knowledge through the brain battles. There were more activities which helped to develop a successful teamwork and reach the main leading aim. At the same time, the project coordinators from different countries continued to plan further project activities and milestones.
In the afternoon, the guests, pupils and teachers, visited Vilnius City Municipality, where they were met by a representative of Vilnius Department of Education, who told about the education system of Lithuanian, answered their concerns and handed symbolic gifts. The guests were organized an excursion during which they could admire the panorama of Vilnius from the twentieth floor of the Municipality.
On November 7, the project participants: foreign guests and our school team, all day long travelled around Lithuania. First we visited Taujėnai Manor, where we admired the buildings and a magnificent garden. Then we visited the observation tower on the hill of Šiaulė. The hill of Crosses near Šiauliai was one more sightseeing and unique object. In the afternoon we went to Naisiai Baltic God Park, the open-air museum. Here the pupils participated in the Orientative game, and the teachers listened to stories about the Baltic culture, gods and faith. Then we continued our trip to Šiauliai to watch the Golden Boy’s sculpture and find the sculpture of the Iron Fox. This journey helped all participants to learn more about Lithuania.
On Friday, November 8, the morning started with the art therapy – painting on the water. The pupils were presented M. K. Čurlionis as famous Lithuanian painter and composer. While listening to his symphony and watching his paintings the pupils tried to depict their impressions on the water. At that time, the project coordinators completed the project’s operational plan.
The participants of the project “Skillful Thinking-Active Learning” watched a wonderful concert prepared by our pupils. In the afternoon, the participants visited the Museum of Energy and Technology, heard a lecture on optical illusions, and later went to “Mėgintuvėlis” (test-tube in English) and conducted scientific experiments in practice.
The contest’s participants alongside whoever else wanted, attended a folk party in the evening, specifically organized for the occasion. The Matuliauskai family ensured a good atmosphere and invited people to get lost in the folk dances. A special thanks for them for sharing their folk knowledge and spirit.
The guests of the project left on November 9, Saturday.
We hope that the visit was educational and pleasant, and we will meet again.
This is only the beginning of the project Skillful Thinking, Active Learning, until many journeys await and lots of work to be done.
