Example programme for a group-based exchange
The link is developed over a series of 'parcels'. These could literally be packages to be sent by post, but equally schools could present the contents using email, web pages,
digital photographs, video conferencing etc, if they have the appropriate technology.
Large groups of students can be split into smaller teams, each responsible for a different section of a 'parcel'. These can be sent in any order and content varied to suit
particular interests. They are merely ideas!
Parcel 1: Our School
- plan of the school / classroom, with relevant, annotated photographs or artwork
- School / class roll and photographs or self portraits
- information about teaching and ancillary staff, PTA, governors
- a school calendar including descriptions and artwork relating to events in the school year
Parcel 2: Our Town
- annotated plans of the locality
- photographs of things seen near the school
Don't forget to photograph the mundane as well as the unusual!
- local newsletters, newspaper cuttings about the school, local celebrities
- local history / geography projects or investigations
Parcel 3: Work on a theme
- at primary level this could be cross-curricular work on a theme such as 'the environment', 'festivals', 'sport' etc
The work of each school will reflect its cultural background
- surveys on leisure activities, cost of living, local amenities etc
This may involve each school answering questions formulated by the other, which are then compared to answers collected locally. This will lead to a discussion about cultural differences.
- joint poems and stories
Pupils write one half of either a story or a poem, which is sent to their counterparts to complete and return. It is interesting to see how your culture influences the content of your writing.
Schools could work on renga on a theme, either in the traditional format of a 5-7-5 syllable poem followed by 7-7 syllables, or simply responding to one haiku with another.
Parcel 4: Multimedia
- pupils exchange audio or video tapes, CDs or PowerPoint presentations etc
These can be used to introduce the sights and sounds of the local environment both in and outside school e.g school events, spoken self introductions, club activities, songs, street sounds etc
Parcel 5: Sport and leisure
- both school and home based: what do pupils do in their spare time?
- comparison of TV programmes
- book reviews
Pupils read the same book - in translation if necessary - and give their thoughts on it. (Before choosing a book, make sure it's available in both languages!
Parcel 6: Daily routine
- school life
timetable, after school activities, getting to and from school, school lunches etc
- home life
holidays, household chores, part-time jobs, family, pets, homes etc
The programme above is based on ideas given by Mary Grace Browning based on her many years' of successful school links with Japan.
Many other sites have ideas for exchanges and collaborations, including E-Link.
If you have questions about setting up a school link, please contact Katherine Donaghy. We also welcome your comments or suggestions concerning these guidelines,
so please email us with them.
|
