The meeting was the first in a series of gatherings to be held between the four partners. Being the first meeting, none of the countries had previously met nor worked together so it was deemed appropriate for only staff to attend the meeting.
We were all so excited and a bit nervous, we looked forward to meeting each other and we felt like working together in the project.
Teachers from Croatia and Latvia flew on Sunday (5th November) to Barcelona and then they went to Barbastro by bus where local teachers were waiting for them.
DAY ONE: 6th November
After a short welcome by teachers and the principal in Pedro I school, partners met in Pedro I library to organize and start work.
Firs of all, the participating teachers made a presentation of their country, school, and in some cases, some local traditions, etc. It was so curious to know some things about every participant.
Afterwards, teachers started their project discussion. The teachers’ workshop began by introducing the objectives of the meeting.
We also had time to make some pictures in the really beautiful ERASMUS CORNER of Pedro I School.
After a break, we continued working as we had to organize lots of activities for our project. Here you have some examples of discussed aspects: Malik`s family cartoons and presentation, suggestions for the next country, Latvia (presentations, lessons...), students who will travel and so on until lunch time.
In the afternoon, we moved to Centro de Congresos to
attend a talk by the teacher Miguel Angel Modrego, from Miguel de Molinos High
School in Zaragoza. The talk was about Coexistence in the Classroom and how to deal with the atmosphere during our
lessons and it lasted two hours. Lots of useful ideas to use in our classrooms.
DAY TWO: 7th November
At first in the morning, teachers continued our workshop to reach agreements about next meeting with pupils in Latvia.
After a short coffee break, teachers and principals
moved to the Town Hall, where the mayor received and welcomed the group. Afterwards,
Javier Luis, student from 2nd ESO in Martínez Vargas received a certificate
to thank him for his logo drawing as he was the winner in the logo competition
done at the end of September. He also received a flash driver with the logo
digitalized and a cheque with some money to be spent in a bookshop in
Barbastro.
In the afternoon, as free time, we visited the winery
Sommos, one of the most important wineries in Somontano region. The
visit was organized to be done in English. Teachers could even taste some
wines.
DAY THREE: 8th November
Alquézar trip
The Spanish teams organized a half-day trip to Alquézar
to go sightseeing and to visit its Colegiata (collegiate church). We came back
to Barbastro to have lunch in Pedro I canteen.
Pedro I Classroom visits
In the afternoon, partners had the possibility to see
how Pedro I teachers work with their students from nursery to 6th
grade Primary (3 to 11 years old).
The oldest students talked to partners from the four
schools in English. We were welcomed in all classes.
Teachers’ training
The teacher Silvia Hernández, co-author of “Aulas
Felices” (Happy Classrooms) gave us a talk with a little practise on
mindfulness for three hours; to try if
considered possible with our students.
Some of the materials can be found in the blog: convivencia.wordpress.com and the
webpage www.aulasfelices.com which is
in Spanish and translated into English.
DAY FOUR: 9th November
Classroom visits in Martínez Vargas
Although the visit and work in Martínez Vargas high
school will be held in May 2019, some partners showed their interest to visit
it during this first mobility as they will not come back in the fourth
mobility. As it was not organized, they
showed the school but they didn’t enter classrooms where lessons were taking
place.
Radio Interview
Cadena Ser Barbastro interviewed the four coordinators in Pedro I library to be broadcasted on Friday. The interview was done in Spanish and English.
Teacher’s workshop
We continued working. It was time to discuss about resolutions for remaining meetings.
Cathedral, Religious Museum and Bullfighting Ring Visit
In the afternoon, three more visits were organized to
show other relevant parts of Barbastro. The visits were in English. They
entered the Cathedral, the Religious Museum and the Bullfighting Ring.
Farewell Dinner
Teachers from the four schools met to continue
sharing ideas, culture and to let Latvian and Croatian partners know a bit more
of Spanish cuisine. Farewell dinner was celebrated in San Ramón restaurant.
At the end of the dinner, Eva, from Pedro I school, delighted us with a Jota (regional song) written and sung in English.
DAY FIVE: 10th November
Journalist Interview
As the previous day, a journalist from a local
newspaper El Cruzado Aragonés took photos
and interviewed coordinators and teachers. The report was to be published next
week in a local newspaper. The same journalist commented she would write
another report for a county paper.
Teacher’s workshop
Time to evaluate the different fields of this first meeting.
Exchange some presents
Latvian and Croatian teachers gave us some typical products of their home countries and they also received lots of products of the Somontano region. We all enjoyed the presents a lot.
It was a great week, working with marvellous people and looking forward to the next meeting.
SEE YOU SOON IN LATVIA!!
