"MOVE YOUR BODY, ""GREEN"" YOUR MIND!"

<< Background >>As European schools, we aimed to foster equality, collaboration, cooperation, and creativity in education to bring unity and joy to our students, our schools and activities. We recognized the growing demand for sustainable physical activity across Europe. We wanted our students, teachers, and parents to be encouraged to understand cultural diversity, respect the environment, and benefit from natural resources for a healthy life. We considered that this knowledge promoted multiculturalism and enriched Europe. We would like European Schools aimed to unite countries, cultures, and landscapes by offering opportunities for cooperation, learning, and physical activity, emphasizing good eating habits in sustainable environments.<< Objectives >>We aimed to boost creativity and innovation, fully embracing the digital realm. Our activities, including those in student exchanges, were meticulously planned to align with this objective and serve as a fundamental part of our project.We strived to promote inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination to foster mutual understanding. All students became part of the same community, developing a strong sense of belonging and better preparation for life in both childhood and adulthood.We actively promoted lifelong learning and mobility, facilitating the exchange of information and experiences. These efforts extended not only to students but also to teachers and families. Planned workshops and activities were designed to enhance the knowledge of the entire community. Teachers also had the opportunity to enhance lesson design and explore new teaching approaches.The exchanges provided a unique and mind-expanding experience for children, broadening their horizons and understanding of different cultures. This focus helped develop skills and confidence, enabling them to advocate effectively for themselves and others.Ultimately, our aim was to enhance the quality of education through activities centered on key competences and skills.<< Implementation >>We implemented the following activities : 1. We formed Erasmus clubs of children aged 12-15. The clubs met once a week and worked on the project activities and results - the contact persons were responsible for running the clubs and organizing the activities2. Erasmus teams were formed - they gathered the teachers responsible for the project implementation. 3. Designing a logo - each Erasmus club designed a part of the logo representing their country - Spanish team created a mutual project logo as a puzzle. 4. The French coordinator created an eTwinning webpage, students shot the introductory videos about themselves to get to know each other and uploaded them to the TwinSpace. Originally we planned to use TwinSpace as a platform for sharing our work and results and for communication, but since we faced serious problems with functionality, we decided to stop using it. Instead we used google drive.5. Erasmus club members did interviews with their parents, grandparents and other relatives or neighbors about the outdoor games they used to play when they were young. Then they shared the games and chose three most interesting games for our brochure. 6. Project website was created by Spanish teachers - they uploaded the materials there regularly to keep our web page updated. 7. Erasmus clubs prepared presentations and videos about their schools, towns and countries to share on webpage and present during the LTTAs. 8.Questionnaires were created as Google forms by the Italian teachers and the coordinator as the tools for assessment for children, teachers and host families to answer after the LTTAs and at the end of the project. The questionnaires map all the important areas which our project aimed to develop: physical condition, eating habits, sustainable behavior, language competences, digital competences, knowledge of our students about all the partner countries, the effects of participating in the project 9. Erasmus corners were created in each school to inform the school community about our project for the whole life of the project.10. Erasmus clubs formulated the rules for the chosen street games and prepared drawing instructions to show how to play the games. First they wrote the instructions in their mother tongue and P.E. teachers used them in P.E. lessons to check the comprehensibility of the instructions and provided some feedback. After the rules were verified, the students translated them into English,11.Drawing instructions - pupils in Erasmus clubs used various digital tools to draw instructions for the games.12. Instructional videos were shot for some of the games to illustrate how to play the games. 13. During the LTTAs each school organized workshops on healthy eating habits - pupils learnt about the concept of healthy eating, balanced diet and the advantages of local food, they were informed what principles they should follow in their diet. The workshops were especially focused on local food production and using local ingredients in their diet. 14. During each LTTA Cooking workshops were organized by professional chefs who taught the participants how to prepare traditional healthy dishes. 15. Cookbook with healthy recipes was prepared - each school wrote three recipes for the cookbook and shot some as video recipes.16. Workshops on sustainability and ecology were organized during LTTAs and also on Earth Days. Students learnt how to make sustainable choices in their everyday life. The following topics were discussed: food waste, recycling and reducing packaging,reducing water consumption, saving energy and fast fashion issue. 17. The Calendar for 2024 was made to promote our project 18. eMagazine was published to map the activities we did in the project19. Earth days were organized in each school - some classes had workshops on environmental issues of different kinds depending on the age of the pupils. Then the pupils went outdoors and collected the rubbish in the streets of their towns.20. Erasmus days were organized in all schools in 2022: each school decided on the form of celebration by themselves, depending on their possibilities. We organized conferences and workshops to present the Erasmus+ programme to our school communities and also informed about our on-going project through presentations, videos and workshops. 21. We made a painted mural during Spanish mobility to commemorate the project22. During each LTTA we organized workshops about street games where the children taught their traditional games to the peers of the other countries23. we organized Christmas activities presenting each partner´s traditions24. we organized visits to the important historical places in each countrywe visited important natural locations / reservations25. During the LTTAs, we organized a treasure hunt in the historic center of the city or in a nearby natural location, so that the participants could get to know the important places of our partner cities in a fun way.27. Flamenco workshop was organized during LTTA in Spain - the participants learnt the basic philosophy and steps of the traditional dance.<< Results >>The Erasmus+ project yielded a multitude of concrete outputs and results, showcasing the diverse range of activities and initiatives undertaken. The following highlights the key achievements:Street Games Rules:One notable output was the brochure of street games rules created in Canva application. This digital tool was employed to present the rules of street games in an attractive and visually appealing manner. The use of Canva not only made the information accessible but also served as a platform to enhance the digital skills of participating students. On one hand it enabled us to create pdf documents that can be easily printed into a brochure that can be handy for PE teachers or after school club educators. On the other hand it allowed us to create an on-line material that is easily accessible from our school web pages or a project web page. Instructional Videos Integrated into Canva Documents:The street games' rules were further enriched in through the development of instructional videos for some of the games. These videos were seamlessly integrated into Canva documents, providing a comprehensive and interactive guide for participants. This multimedia approach aimed to enhance the understanding of the games and promote active participation.Calendar Featuring Project Activities:A visually appealing calendar was created, featuring photos and highlights from various project activities. This tangible output served as a commemorative piece and a testament to the collaborative efforts of all participating organizations. It provided a snapshot of the diverse range of events and engagements throughout the project.Newsletter (eMagazine):A dynamic and informative eMagazine-style newsletter was produced to keep stakeholders and the wider community informed about all project activities. This electronic publication served as a comprehensive overview, capturing the essence of the project, its objectives, and the impact on participants and communities.Cookbook and Video Recipes:A cookbook was developed as a creative output, featuring recipes from different cultures represented in the project and serving as good examples of healthy dishes. We again used Canva to create the cookbook. Accompanying video recipes were produced to provide an immersive and engaging cooking experience, fostering cross-cultural understanding through the joy of shared cuisine.Workshops on Healthy Eating Habits:The project included workshops and lessons focused on promoting healthy eating habits. These sessions aimed to educate participants about nutrition, balanced diets, and the importance of making informed food choices for overall well-being.Cooking Workshops:Cooking workshops were organized as part of the project's experiential learning component. These workshops provided hands-on experiences, encouraging participants to explore and appreciate diverse culinary traditions while promoting teamwork and cultural exchange.Workshops on Sustainability and Healthy Living Environment:Sustainability was a key theme, and dedicated workshops were conducted to raise awareness about sustainable practices and the creation of a healthy living environment. Participants engaged in discussions and activities aimed at fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.Flamenco Workshop:A Flamenco workshop added a cultural dimension to the project, introducing participants to the artistry and traditions of Flamenco dance and music. This workshop enriched the cultural exchange aspect of the project and celebrated the diversity within the consortium.Mural Painting of Picasso's Three Musicians:In a creative endeavor, participants engaged in a mural painting activity, recreating Picasso's Three Musicians. This collaborative art project not only showcased artistic talents but also symbolized the unity and harmony fostered by the Erasmus+ collaboration.These concrete outputs and results collectively underscore the success of the project in achieving its objectives, fostering cross-cultural exchange, promoting healthy living, and leaving a lasting impact on participants and communities involved.