GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-

2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY

CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE

ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE

ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI

KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA

COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013- 2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE

ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE

TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA

COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013- 2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL

GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA

TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY

CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA

COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV

ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL

PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW

GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH

REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE

ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-

2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE

ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI

KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE

TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND

SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS

PARTNERSHIP 2013- 2015 JABLUNKOV

ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO

POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE

TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN

GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-

2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL

PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE

TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS

PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA

TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE

TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND

SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS

PARTNERSHIP 2013- 2015 JABLUNKOV

ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL

PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW

GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH

REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE

ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE

ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013-2015 JABLUNKOV ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE ISTANBUL PALAIKASTRO POIANA TEIULUI

KLIMONTÓW GET MORE FROM LIFE TURKEY CZECH REPUBLIC POLAND SPAIN GREECE ROMANIA COMENIUS PARTNERSHIP 2013

1

INTRODUCTION

Our journey started two years ago when we first found each other on eTwinning.

It was a great chance for us that we all succeeded to be approved by our National

Agencies.

To the Comenius School Partnership Project "Get More from Life", six European

schools got involved. The project has solved the traps of contemporary

consumer society. Through many activities, children from partner schools could

find out how they can get more from life. Project activities have showed the

children how varied life can be when they have some hobbies, do good deeds,

think of people who are worse off than us and when they are trying to help

them, when they have a lot of friends and also the possibility to travel.

Today's children and young people are increasingly surrounded by modern

technology. They are progressively getting used to the convenience, help less

with housework, hardly ever play with friends outdoors and they spend a lot of

time in front of TV and computer. The statistics show, that many young people

are often bored and actually can-not even describe properly their problems or

deal with them effectively. Parents have so many problems of their own that

they do not pay enough attention to children. This is the reason why they look

for their torch-bearer among other children who are in the same position as

themselves.The main goal of our project was to help our students, parents and

teachers to be informed of the threatening risks if we do not try to change the

situation. We have monitored the trend of pathological behaviour within our

students and enabled them to discover the values that will help them enjoy their

lives, the environment they live in, discover more and more things in their

2

neighbourhood, which they can appreciate, be proud of and protect them. Our

aim was to improve the educational programme, to find opportunities for the

provision of appropriate activities that are making children's learning more

attractive and are encouraging their after-school activities. Children would often

feel that they are important, that their work, education and language learning is

important, too. Moreover, through this project we have improved the

understanding of cultural diversity and the search for similarities and differences

in the problems arising from the current way of life of young people and families.

Partnership between schools has allowed us to break barriers between us and

achieve intercultural education. In each country, we had a warm welcome and

were suprised by their charming beauty, history, culture and hospitality. Our

parthership helped us to create young Europeans who, by playing and working

together, would become tolerant of each other and be free of prejudice, leading

to mutual understanding and integration. A major contributing factor in our

cooperation was using English as common language.

We would able to visit lots of interesting places, museums, archaelogical sites,

churches and National parks. The project meetings helped us to learn about the

customs and traditions of each country, and we could also try lots of interesting

activities. We´ll never forget visit in Istambul and warm hospitality given by

pupils, teachers and parents in school, ice-breaking activities and childrens'

dancing performances, exploring the salt mines in Poland. During the days we

spent at each project school, we were able to compare our school systems and

teaching methods as well as learn something about our ways of life. The project

has inspired many teachers to promote a healthy lifestyle. In some

3

school many sustainable extracurricular activities were created that will benefit

future generations of children. The most important outcomes in our project

were opportunities to make new friends among students and teachers, show

them some places of interest in our countries, regions and schools. We all were

enthusiastic about the cooperation. There were lots of tears when our last day

came and we had to say good bye. We will never forget the days spent with our

new friends and we hope to visit the wonderful countries again in the future. In

conclusion we are here to show our final product. This book was written by the

participants who were involved in multilateral school partnership project

Comenius among six European schools from Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland,

Greece, Spain, Romania. The authors wish to express their gratitude to the

National Agencies from all countries which allowed our schools to participate

and our sponsors who supported our project. We hope we will inspire some

readers to change their monotonous lifestyle to the life full of experiences. We

are grateful to our colleagues, parents and students who took part in the

activities and helped with the exchange organization.

COORDINATORS

Lenka and Ondřej, George, Maria and Francisco, Urszula, Mariana, Elif and Ferhat

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission, grant

[COM-MP-2013-009.] This handbook reflects the views only of the authors, and

the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of

the information contained therein.

4

1. MEET MORE PEOPLE

We do not know anybody who would want to be alone. Project activities gave us

plenty of opportunities to get to know children from different -European

landscapes. Children and teachers had the opportunity to meet peers personally

with whom they were also in contact with through social media - Facebook,

Skype, eTwinning, e-mails, exchanging letters, Christmas and New Year

greetings. Teachers organized videoconference for children, during which the

children learnt about each other, got acquainted with the traditions and

presented their work on the project. Of course, the greatest joy for the children

were from personal meetings. During the meetings they went on trips together

and participated in workshops. Among children warm friendships arised and

when parting we could often see tears. As a result, young people have

cooperated, learnt English, developed key competences, become more active,

creative and tolerant. Thanks to working with other teenagers, they are more

open-minded, outgoing and friendly.

Rule number 1 “Man is a social animal”

“Any new person you meet, it can bring you new experiences, new emotions,

it improves your life”

Skype conversation (Romania & Spain

& Czech republic & Poland) 2014

5

Exchanging letters and Christmas cards

Skype conversations (Czech Republic &

Turkey & Greece 2014)

6

2. TAKE UP NEW HOBBIES

We all know that today's children spend a lot of time with modern technology

and certainly every child has ever heard from parents and teachers: "Find

another hobby!" In our project, we do not just say children it, but we invite them

to a variety of creative activities. During activities related to the project some of

us produced traditional products of our region from wood in a special workroom,

they learnt to work with wood working tools, they also wove baskets. Some

pupils started to make crafts, knitting or cooking. Some became interested in

sport activities. A few boys form build wooden things as young carpenters. Older

participants of the project thought younger pupils origami and decorated the

classrooms using it. Many students prepared handmade toys for children and

school guests. The most popular were dancing, singing and playing musical

instruments. Young people enjoyed taking part in the project workshops and

prepared “Dances of the world” - a performance which was presented during the

meetings. Participants of the project workshops also performed world’s dances.

We taught these skills to each other in workshops during our meetings. We met

with experts from the field of psychology, who explains to children how

important it is to have hobbies and a lot of friends. The more hobbies a child,

he/she will have better chances to pick what they like and profession in the

future. We all wish our children would found work which also will be their hobby.

Rule number 2 “Do what makes you feel good!”

“Practicing a hobby helps us maintain a balance “I´m alive”, we´re charged with

positive energy, makes us feel confident because what do we do with pleasure”

Let´s play chess

7

Let´s cook

Let´s make crafts

8

Let´s paint on the glass and graffiti

Let´s listen to the advice of experts,

share knowledge with friends

9

3. BE SPONTANEOUS

Run for example to….Istanbul

Of course, at school we don´t have anybody who is able to run to Istanbul, but

when there are many people together, they can even travel around the world.

Children, teachers and sometimes whole families of all partner schools were

included into this activity. Somewere running, others were walking, swimming

and riding bikes. But all together we had one goal - to run the number of

kilometres, representing the average distance from the partner school to school

in Jablunkov. It seems that when there was a specific goal in running children

began to find it entertaining. Thanks to the project some children got a new

hobby. Certainly, pupils and their families have done something for their health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=0nzhXJfU5co

Parents confirmed elapsed kilometers

Let´s run, surf, swim, walk, hike to

Jablunkov

10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSdljqTH4P4

11

Moreover, many participants provided action “Say I love you!” They made many

cards and gave them to friends, parents and grandparents. Pupils became more

spontaneous and friendly.

As part of "Be spontaneous" activity Romanian school collected in six countries

snapshots. Thus from all partners. We conducted an exhibition with them,

showing that a photograph taken instantaneously (rate you yourself as you

spontaneously) can say more about you than classical picture (upright and

looking at photographer).

The rule number 3 “Be spontaneous in everything you do, it brings more creativity and better results”

12

4. TACKLE FEARS

Children are like a blank blackboards. They rely on their parents and later on

teachers as their protectors. It´s not always just pretty things happening around

them. A bad environment can have negative effect on children's development.

We focused in school projects and art lessons on this topic. We discussed with

experts on the topic of how not to get hurt, prevention of bullying and leisure.

We organized for children art competition at all partner schools. We sent the

best work to our partner school in Poland, where they organized an exhibition

for us during the meeting in the Polish school. The format and technique of art

works were arbitrary. The finished works were displayed in the school premises.

In the pictures we could see different embodiments children's fears and

concerns, spiders, witches, monsters, but also - especially in older children -

ecological disaster, loneliness, darkness, violence... We believe that it was a good

possibility to discuss the problem with other partners and find the solution

together. We realized, that in spite of the nationality, young people have similar

fears.

Rule number 4 “If you are afraid of something, do not run - face it!”

International exhibition in Polish school

13

14

15

16

5. DO THINGS YOU WILL NOT LIKE

We examined the children, to find out which of their daily routines they didn´t

like the most. We found out that among the least popular activities includes

getting up early to school. Children are most looking forward to the weekend

because they can sleep longer. Children don’t like reading set up books and

learning by heart. So, we decided to do some interesting things to make learning

more attractive for students. Older students prepared workshops for younger

pupils to teach them using projects, games and crosswords. They have learnt

practical things and communication between them.

Moreover, students from a secondary school promoted reading among young

people using drama and short performances. Older pupils from Polish school

prepared by themselves a school play about famous book by H. Sienkiewicz. They

made the performance, read the parts of the book and created the special

atmosphere of ancient world. Audience was very glad and fascinated by

modulation of students’ voices and special effects. Younger ones prepared

stories from fairy tales and legends. Thanks to that, process of learning have

become more effective for everyone. Moreover, participants of the action made

the decorations and encouraged others to read books.

Many students discussed the topic of their preferences and things they don’t like

doing. They prepared some interesting presentations, mind maps, albums and

artistic work. Pupils also made some graphs to demonstrate the idea and

increase others interests to do things which are good for our health, body and

mind. The most popular was promoting self-development which influenced on

broadening students’ horizons. Thanks to that action more pupils are eager to

do things that are good but they didn’t like doing earlier.

Some schools prepared activity for pupils that makes better motivation for

getting up early. They explained to the pupils how important it is to start with a

positive thought: "If I welcome the day by doing exercise I will have better day."

They allowed children to attend a morning workout, during which they

performed yoga exercises "the sun salutation - surya namaskar".

It helped children to start the new day together in exciting way even if it was

sometimes difficult to wake up and arrive at school in early morning hours.

17

Rule number 5 “You can not say about something you do not like, until you practice it, to discover its usefulness”

18

Put the body in motion in the morning,

things will get better

19

6. TRAVEL

"The world is like a book. Who doesn´t travel, will stay on the first page”

St. Augustine

With our project we allowed children and teachers of six European countries to

travel abroad, to get to know the beauties, culture, language, traditions and

cuisine of six European countries.

At each school there was a huge interest in travelling, so we had to make some

rules by which we selected participants of expeditions according to their merits.

There are reviews from project´s coordinators:

At Czech school we prepared the competition „Travel“ – pupils were suppose to

make presentation called: Where we invite our visitors on a day trip. The place

was chosen by teachers, it was Macocha caves. Pupils had to find some

information about travelling by bus, food, sightseeing and prices. It means pupils

tried to organize the whole day trip for visitors from other countries. They did it

in their free time with the teachers´ help and after that pupils performed it on

the school competition. This work enriched pupils about new knowledge and

experiences, they enjoyed it very much and the winners got award to travel to

Spain.

Lenka

Traveling have helped us to know the places and people, to understand different

cultures and traditions. We were able to know and understandings differences,

learning from experience. Each new country visited revealed differences but also

similarities between nations, relief, culture, traditions, language. We admired

beauties and landmarks unprecedented, but we learned to appreciate more

what God has bestowed each nation individually. We learned to live in peace and

tolerance, to help those in need, let's encourage those who have no hope, we

make life more beautiful for us and those around us.

Mariana

20

Judging by the final questionnaire Polish students enjoy travelling. Thanks to that

they met new friends, got knowledge and broadened their experience. Not only

teachers but also students had a possibility to attend the project meeting at

partners’ schools. It was a great experience and a good chance to work together

with other pupils. Participants of the project made also videos about the

meetings. In the project meetings took part 41 students and 15 teachers.

Furthermore, we organizes a few trips for participants of the project. They were

on some trips to the mountains in the south of Poland and to Warsaw, the capital

of our country. Students had many possibilities to visits cinemas, theatres,

museums and attend other interesting actions in Cracow, for example they took

part in workshops and cultural events together with other students. During the

international meetings in Turkey, Romania, Czech Republic and Spain our

Comenius participants visited plenty of amazing places which influenced on their

education and cultural development.

Students arranged also the Comenius corner where have gathered materials

(photos, souvenirs, maps, leaflets) connected with the project meetings. They

made an album “European Challenge” and the project exhibitions at our school

and to present photos, pictures and other project materials to promote

outcomes of the Get More From Life project to other pupils, teachers, school

workers and parents.

Urszula

We visited five different countries during the project - Turkey, Poland, Romania,

Czech Republic and Spain with the participation of thirteen students and six

professors and experienced new places, extraordinary monuments and natural

habitats.

George

7 teachers and 14 students travelled to Poland, Romania, Czech Republic and

Greece.

It was very important to travel in this project for the following reasons:

Exchanging ideas about educational systems and programs with other

school in Europe;

Debating about different methods of teaching or organizing lessons;

21

Improving English;

Knowing other countries and cultures;

Finding new friends.

Repairing presentation of their country, town and school for foreign

students;

Doing different and interesting activities for the project;

Meeting students and teachers of other countries in their own school,

visiting schools of other countries and knowing new ways of life of

students of the same age.

Elif

Most students travelling were eleven years old, except a student who was twelve years old. For them it was the first time separated from their parents, so long and so far.

The farewell was very emotional, as both parents and students wept at this departure.

After spending the first night in another country, some of them they missed their parents. But seeing the support of teachers and their own colleagues overcame their fears.

It was understood that such a young students cast forth under their parents.

Before travelling to Prague, we communicate both parents and students that the program would make when we were there.

We asked the students: “What could they provide the Comenius program? What sensations did students have to hop on a plane? What can they learn from new friends?”

They hoped to learn new things about another cultures.

After the question we saw the enthusiasm and desire they had to make this trip. On the way back we could go back to questions about the experience, and students commented that it was a unique and wonderful experience.

Francisco

22

Rule number 6 „Do not miss any trip because it is a source of knowledge and

development!“

Meeting in Turkey

23

Meeting in Poland

24

Meeting in Romania

25

Meeting in Greece

26

Meeting in the Czech Republic

27

Meeting in Spain

28

7. ORIENT PURPOSE OUTSIDE YOURSELF

The essence of this activity is to encourage pupils to perceive more of the life

around us, they should recognize people's problems in their surroundings and

within its capabilities, to try to help them. Children could experience the joy of

it, when we do a good deed.

Activities in Czech school:

Pupils and teachers at Czech schools contacted our residents of a nursing home

in Jablunkov. They offered reading books to local seniors. Children also organized

a Christmas party for them and donated homemade Christmas candlesticks. In

our school we also have a long experience with supporting charity activities. For

several years children have been involved in the nationwide collection "Help the

Children!” so that younger children may know how people with disabilities

(collection is also for them) feels, older students organize experiential afternoon

for school club entitled "Chicken helps all". Five posts that were prepared for

children, modelled situations that are normal for us, but for the disabled people

represent a much bigger obstacle. Children tried to look after objects blindly,

drew pictures with their mouth, walked on crutches through various obstacles,

they had to communicate by gestures, or compose simple sentences from

pictures. Everyone finally admitted that life with a disability is not easy. During

the Easter holidays, the pupils of our school went with cash boxes to schools,

offices, Jablunkov streets and to churches to collect money. In 2014 and 2015

they collected 70 818 CZK together. For each financial contribution donors

received small gift- handmade illustration with chicken, whose production

involved nearly the whole school, it means that each student donated his own

time.

Our children are also trying to perceive the problems of other children in the

world, which is confirmed by the project Remote Adoption. For the third year,

our school contributes to education for Christine Yvonne Wangechi from Kenya.

Every year we send about the amount of CZK 18 000. This money covers the

expenses for Christine tuition, clothing, food, medical care and gifts. Christine

sends us photos on which we can make sure that she is doing well, she is healthy

and learns so that she can achieve her dream goal - to become a doctor. Activity

29

"Orient purpose outside yourself" not only confirmed, but also expanded the

ability of our students to be aware of their surroundings...

https://prezi.com/_kuh3j-6ou8m/copy-of-copy-of-spend-time/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Activities in Polish school:

Polish students visited disabled people and performed for them a play which

consisted of dancing, singing and playing musical instruments. They also danced

and played together with disabled people. Pupils enjoyed being together

because everyone was very glad and happy. It was a kind of therapy for

everyone. Thanks to it, students could integrate with many disabled people

worked together and observed the life in the House. It was not only a new

experience for our students but also a good example of integration in a real life.

Young people got some information about the organization of the care at the

House and took part in the workshops making some artistic work together with

disabled people. They get some information about physiological aspects of the

illnesses and about possibilities how to work with the people. As a result,

30

students could help others who are in need and have some problems in the life.

They realized that around us there are many people who are different, who are

not able to do many things without assistance and service. It was a real lecture

and a real life.

Moreover, pupils are at the same class with physically and mentally disabled

children and teenagers at our school. They have got integration workshops and

classes to work together with them. It has a very positive educational influence

on both ill and healthy young people.

Activities in Romanian school:

With this activity, we taught students to look at the needs of others. We do not need much effort to make others happy. Sometimes a smile or a handshake do more than any gift.

As near our village is a care centre for the elderly, we thought that around the Christmas holidays, everyone would want to have someone close. The children in our school have prepared, together with their parents, small gifts to these elders. Then we went and we offered them singing carols and wishing them happy holidays. This experience has awakened students, feelings of compassion, relief, empathy, realizing how important their contribution was moment happiness of the elderly.

31

Activities in Greek school:

The visit in the nursery school was quite unique

since the students had the opportunity to

communicate with young children and enjoy the

innocence and naivity of childhood.

Before Christmas holidays the students of the

school along with the teachers sang the

Christmas carols to the streets of the village and

raised money for the institution for the support

of poor people.

Activities in Turkish school:

We visited and gave some presents to old & homeless people. Also We invited

them to our school for a special day. With this activity our students prepared

themselves for a obtain reason to help others.

32

Activities in Spanish school:

One our main objectives have been the cultural exchange to learn more from one another. In addition, students have dresses in the typical suit of each country in Carnival. Carnival is a festive season that occurs in February. Children have learned about project´s partners attractions, its main recipes. The class size has made the typical recipes from the countries that make up our program. All these activities have been motivating. They have learned a lot from each of the countries. Thanks to these activities, we allow many people around us to enjoy carnival season more interesting than usual.

Rule Number 7 “Making others happy, you will become happy!“

33

8. ABANDON DEAD-END´S - exit off lifestyle - everything start over again

The purpose of the project

also actively involved children

to work in creating something

that will stay here for the next

generation. Our beautiful

school garden in Jablunkov

with herb beds was created to

serve the children not only as

a decoration, but also as a

place to rest and relax.

Children help with the work and maintenance, learn to distinguish species of

herbs and their use. Herb garden is used by children not only in the afternoon

learning within school clubs, but also school education takes place here. The

garden has also become a source of food for insects. To protect herbs against

insects, we hung several booths on trees where the birds that eat insects are

nesting. The herb growing inspires our children to many other activities. For

example, in woodcarving club they made herbs from wood and they also painted

some herbs in school club. The result of our efforts is a garden - The herb garden

of dreams, which will stay here for other generations of children. In our school

garden we planted a friendship tree - a linden tree, which commemorate March

26, 2015, when teachers and children from 6 European countries met at our

school. Our beautiful school garden with herb beds was created to serve the

children not only as a decoration, but also as a place to rest and relax.

34

Comenius clubub in Klimontów prepared

some materials, worksheet and tasks for

younger students from a primary school.

They also provided workshops for younger

students to teach them communication in

English. The materials encourage pupils to

learn foreign language using games,

rhymes, songs and crosswords. Students

have helped to organize a classroom of

English language and European culture

where project workshops and actions are provided. There are many maps,

culture materials, souvenirs and students’ albums.

Participants arranged also an educational garden

where they planted flowers, bushes and herbs

which are useful for people. There is also a good

place (green classroom) where project meetings

have been provided and pupils have regular

classes. We cooperate with some ecological

organizations which encouraged students to take

care about environment, for example, planting

trees and bushes, segregate rubbish, cleaning up

world, saving water and energy, help animals

during winter time and collecting recycling materials. Furthermore, pupils take

care about houseplants in the classrooms to do the school full of greenery.

Polish students took part in the ecological workshops in Cracow and learnt a lot

about biology by observing nature. They get a lot of information by taking part

in scientific expositions and lectures. Participants noticed the results of the

observations and made a calendar.

Students and teachers from all partner schools understood that improoving the

quality of life they have to give up some unhealthy habits, such as sedentary

lifestyle, spending time in front of computer or television, junk food, lack of

friends or enjoyable activities.

So they began organizing meetings to do something to change lifestyle: hiking

through the woods, fun activities, competitions, dancing, volunteering, sports,

etc. They helped pupils' personal development and life quality improvement.

35

Rule no. 8. The diversity of activities, enrich your life !

9. ADD SOME SPICE

During the project meetings students practiced to sing the project song Get

More From Life which was created by Spanish partners. Students from all

schools arranged the project song (English and all languages versions) and gave

the presentation to other students, teachers and parents during the meetings at

partners’ countries. It is a great fun for other students who can sing the song and

enjoyed doing the project. Participants of the Comenius Club learnt other

students to sing the song, some try to acompane playing the musical

instruments. Students have developped their talents and interests.

Children from coordinator´s school devised the main protagonist - a cute teddy

bear Pepe, who goes to school and like all boys his age he sometimes has some

problems with friends. We wrote the introductory part of the fairy tale called

“Cute Pepe is on the road”. Pupils completed the story by illustrations and sent

it to pupils in Crete. The story was completed by children from Turkey, Romania,

Poland and Spain gradually. The story of a small teddy bear could run around the

whole Europe and a lot of his new experiences were added.

36

It was a very interesting project event encouraging young people to be creative

and get more from life. They also learn English, communication and basic skills.

Because our pupils like playing on performances, we prepared a short

dramatization of Cute Pepe for a meeting of schools in Jablunkov. Mr. René Pilch

– the teacher wrote a script and pupils made set pieces (scenery) on their own.

It wasn´t easy to learn so much of English play script but they managed it at last.

Moreover, thanks to that young people could work together with other teams

and create an interesting story which can be performed in any school and in any

country. It is a good example of project collaboration among participants to do

one thing using ICT and imaginary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl9hKlqlrl4

37

GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – English version

Special thanks to Maria Aragón Cárdenas for her beautiful idea and a video-

instruction for the rhythmic accompaniment of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzFuna8Bd_g

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Spanish version

Tengo mi ticket para una vida mejor

Y algunas nuevas experiencias en el camino.

Y estoy seguro que le gustaría algo de buena compañía.

Únete a mí, ¿qué me dices?

Así pues, aquí vamos, aquí vamos,

Vamos a abrir nuestras mentes, ¿no lo sabes?

Nosotros podemos alcanzar cualquier meta, nosotros podemos llenar

cualquier alma,

Juntos conseguiremos más de la vida.

Yo me tengo a mí y a mis euros amigos,

Ahora estamos aprendiendo mucho más, Polonia y Grecia, España y

Turquía,

República Checa y Rumania, nosotros somos la llave.

Así pues, aquí vamos, aquí vamos,

Vamos a abrir nuestras mentes, ¿no lo sabes?

Nosotros podemos alcanzar cualquier meta, nosotros podemos llenar

cualquier alma,

Juntos conseguiremos más de la vida.

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Turkish version

İyi bir yaşama biletim var

Ve yolumda tecrübem

Eminim iyi dostlarım olacak

Katıl sende ne dersin?

Here we go here we go

Let’s open mind dont you know

We can reach any goal

We can feel any soul

Together get more from the life

https://youtu.be/Sfq8bAfNngM

Timing 1:26 – Cups song

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Polish version

Z biletem w lepsze życie szybko gnam

I nowe doświadczenia mam.

Chcę przyjaciół nowych poznać też,

Dołącz do mnie, jeśli chcesz

W Europie już kolegów wielu znam

I ucząc się, nie jestem sam.

Czesi, Grecy, Polacy, Rumuni są

z Hiszpanią, Turcją pracują.

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Romanian version

Mi-am luat bilet pentru o viață mai bună

Și noi experiențe întâlnim .

Sigur ți-ar plăcea o companie plăcută,

Vino să ne împrietenim!

Deci să începem, să începem,

Deschide-ți mintea, nu mai sta!

Noi putem avea, putem mângâia,

De la viață mai mult vom lua!

Mă ai pe mine și prietenii mei.

Acum învățăm și mai mult!

Polonia, Grecia, Spania ,Turcia,

Cehia, România, suntem cheia!

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Czech version

Máme pár lístků na vlak zážitků,

Čekáme, že se přidáš k nám.

Do báglu sbal si dárek pro kámoše, které potkáš,

Všechno ostatní už mám!

REF.

No tak už pojď, no tak už pojď,

Nastav sluníčkovým dnům líc,

Přidej se k partě, která ukáže ti právě,

Jak vzít od života víc!

Evropou vydáme se společně,

Od oceánu k výšinám.

A když se bojíš něčí cizí řeči,

V mobilu já překladač mám!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iykYozT2gpo

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GET MORE FROM LIFE - lyrics – Greek version

Έχω εισιτήριο για καλύτερη ζωή

Νέα εμπειρία με περιμένει

Πα-α-ρέα, να ταξιδέψουμε μαζί

ψάχνω, τι περιμένεις?

Πάμε μακριά, πολύ μακριά

τους στόχους για να φτάσουμε ψηλά

Το μυαλό μας ανοίγει,

η ψυχή μας γεμίζει,

μαζί, θα κάνουμε πολλά!

Το κλειδί είμαστε όλοι μαζί

Τσέχοι, Ρουμάνοι, Πολωνοί,

Έλληνες και Τούρκοι,

Ισπανοί μαθητές

φίλοι, για μια ζωή!

Πάμε μακριά, πολύ μακριά

τους στόχους για να φτάσουμε ψηλά

Το μυαλό μας ανοίγει,

η ψυχή μας γεμίζει,

μαζί, θα κάνουμε πολλά!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQjgcdVt-Tc

Rule number 9 “Add a touch of spice to your life by something that brings you

extra experience.”

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10. WISH EXPERIENCES, NOT MATERIAL GOODS

How many times have we heard how important it is to have good health or that

money can not buy health. But it is very difficult to explain to children in today's

consumer society, that we do not need a lot of money to be happy. Teachers

involved in this project prepared many activities through which children could

experience a lot of unforgettable and spiritually enriching feelings. We did not

need a lot of money, enough good action plan and mainly want to share

experience with children.

Polish project team provided some European workshops in which took part

many children and older students from a lower secondary school. Thanks to that

participants have had the possibility to get knowledge and experience. They

discaverd the world using ICT and prepared many presentations, contests,

crosswords and other materials about project countries. Children worked as

young explores, so they got some information about amazing things in world.

They watched intersting films, took part in some workshops prepared by older

students which help them to learn a lot about geography and history of human

civilisation. Students prepared also a few presentations and posters about

famous people, unusual monuments and things which are worth visiting.

Project participants took part in European workshops. It was a very good work

and a great fun for all participants. They could work together in groups and took

part in some competitions. Thanks to that, young people got knowledge about

European Union and had a good time. They met students from another schools

and could also travel by original English bus. It was a chance for everyone to get

more from life and broaden one’s mind and develop their personality. As a result

young people have become more active, sociable and outgoing. They improve

their communication and basic skills by working in teams and meeting new

people.

Polish team

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The school in Jablunkov is situated in the valley of the beautiful mountains

Beskydy. Tourism always has been expanded here, but today's families often

prefer to spend free time in shopping malls or watching television. Therefore,

we established our school tourist club and we offered the pupils an activity that

would allow them meaningful spending of their leisure time. Tourism offers

several advantages - active exercise in the open air in the countryside, exploring

the wider surroundings of their homes, making friends, the joy of sharing

common experiences with others. Undisputed plus of hiking is its availability in

our region and financial undemanding. Within the club, eight trips to the

surrounding hills were held, number of participants were 5-15 children

depending on the weather and we really appreciated it when pupils came with

their parents or grandparents. We went up together to hills Skalka, Kozubová,

Filipka, Gírová, Studeničné, Hrčava, Bahenec, Kamenitý and Slavíč. We also

visited the observatory in Kostkov. Each one of us walked from September 2013

to March 2015 about 80 km totally. At the beginning of the activity each member

received a tourist book, which he/she took on his/her trips in the backpack and

honestly wrote down their achieved tourist destinations into it. They also pasted

postcards there and collected tourist stamp. Children can keep the tourist book

because it will remind them of lovely moments which they spent together in the

Beskydy nature. 2-3 teachers participated in each trip, they usually were class

teacher of children who were enrolled into the club. They had a chance to

become better acquainted with some of his pupils and their parents. Tourist club

did not only help to bring new young tourists up, but has also helped to

strengthen relations between children themselves and between children and

their teachers.

Every moment, every meeting took place in a very friendly atmosphere and all

participants enjoyed every second. The project has been a great inspiration how

to increase quality of our children´ and teachers´ lives.

Czech team

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The students have learned to enjoy every moment.

Hiking is an enriching experience and healthy. Snow is rare in our country and

both students and teachers enjoyed it. They played in the snow, they have

thrown snowballs, they have slipped a bag in the snow.

They have enjoyed the different workshops offered by different countries.

They have played in the park by riding on swings, slides...

Strolling through the different countries, seeing their neighborhoods, parks,

important monuments, churches... have been rewarding experiences.

Thank you all for being able to share this wonderful experience!

Spanish team

The students of our school had the chance to visit the apiary of the region and

they were informed about the marvelous world of bees. They witnessed the

procedure of honey and wax production and tasted products based on honey.

The students were intrigued to take interviews from older people and

discovered a different way of approaching problems, tackling fears and

experiencing life during past years.

Greek team

The project was a complete success and all of us were extremely thrilled from

the cooperation, communication and the life long experiences we gained

throughout its execution. The requested goals were fully achieved and the

participants were completely satisfied from the results.

Turkish team

After all the activities and the two-year project, both students, and teachers,

concluded that more important are the experiences we live, than material

goods. Things are what we are helpful but not irreplaceable. It was broken TV?

You repair it or buy another. Emotions, feelings, experiences through which

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man passes along life, no one can take them. They remain in the soul and make

you richer, the way you react to your peers.

I might reinforce this idea by personal experience I went through.

On returning from the Czech mobility, our van was broken and we were thieves

stole electronics and documents. I lost things, we missed shots, but remained

in the soul beautiful memories, from there no one can steal. This experience

has led more students to cherish the moments, and less things.

We, Romanians, have learned from this project, to be more careful with our

lives. Let's pay attention to lifestyle, to give priority to health, friendship, things

pleasant fellow to help, to love the people around us, to accept everyone,

because we are different.

We learned to get more out of life!

We can be happy, even if we have less.

Happiness comes from the heart and depends on little thing.

A smile at the right time can do more than anything!

Let's be happy that we live!

Rule number 10 „Build memories, not things! Things change, the memories

never die!“

Romanian team

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49

Absolute rule “Do not just live, but live life to the fullest!”

LET´S TAKE INSPIRATION FROM OUR HANDBOOK

AND

GET MORE FROM LIFE!

Click here for more photos from our meetings.

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