Playing with the Play

"<< Background >>We applied because we had strong believe to our Project. ""Playing with the play"" was established to createinternational cooperation, to gain knowledge and skills, and to improve the quality of education in partner schools. Thisinitiative supports the international exchange of groups of students to promote the values of tolerance and socialinclusion. The main goal is to interest the participants in the history and, above all, of the literature of the partnercountries. Interest in theater and literature can be an interestingalternative of spending free time.<< Objectives >>By implementing project, we wanted to achieve the development of key competences, above all: the ability to use the English language, and increase in the ability to use modern technologies, acquiring knowledge about the literature of the partner countries and learning about the culture of partner countries.Learning by young people how to acquire knowledge by preparing and presenting plays, learning various techniques of organizing student's learning, evaluating their work:seeking advice, information and support when needed by students.And also:- developing competences such as creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship- developing comprehensive personal development of a student by expanding his knowledge as well as satisfying andawakening his natural curiosity about the world- creative problem solving- team work and social activity- acquiring social competences such as communication and cooperation in a group- reading texts through intersemiotic translation (eg drama, theater performance)- developing the ability to communicate with other people- improving concrete and abstract thinking- forming the individual personality of a young person's character- internalizing the system of values, especially truth, good<< Implementation >>Activities we implemented:- Created project teams of students - signed agreements among partners showing deadlines, exact dates of the LTTs and TPMs, tasks and responsibilities- we created own logo to the Project- we had many online project meetings and we prepared checklists and plans- writing the interim and final reports- dissemination activities before -during and after the internationally held meetings- six months checklist and improving KPI(key performance Indicator) of the project- applying the survey among students twice which the partner schools did before the project was written- analysing the results of the surveys - cooperating with other schools by informing them about our project's goals and activities- we had meetings with students' parents to inform and involve them- making visits and cooperation with other associated partners like education centers, NGOs, theaters and museums- updating our project's communication tools like its webpage, school websites, official İnstagram and Facebook accountsand eTwinning page- evaluation and reporting the results we get after each mobility- having project meetings with the involved teachers and other edcational staff in order to integrate the newly learned skillsinto their curriculums- preparing an adaptation of a fragment or the whole of a literary work (each country presents the work of a native author)Students in particular countries proposed a literary work on which the play they present will be based, determine the details,the length, number of acts, scenography, costumes, music, role and task assignment. They also prepare a thematicquiz and a set of lexical exercises for other participants- taking part in varius types of workshop classes such as exercises-games in the field of language communication(diction, breathing exercises, facial gymnastics, ways to overcome stress), in the area of stage play(exercises improving memory and stimulating the imagination, gestures exercises, stage movement, drama games,situational scenes, pantomime exercises), in the area of working on the text and working on the preparation of art- preparation of the final performance entitled ""We dream the same Europe"". All project participants during eachinternational meetings wrote the script together (one act of the play at each meeting). At the last meeting, the play werestaged and recorded, the script is published on the project website and eTwinning platform. The eTwinning platform, Facebook, WhatsApp, and project website will be used for communicationEvaluation and summary:During the visits to partner countries, prepared performances and discussed difficulties that arose during implementationwas presented. Participants completed previously prepared questionnaires and exchange experiences. We paidattention to similarities and differences resulting from the traditions and culture of individual countries.Performances and other project activities was presented in the school and local environment (during schoolcelebrations, interviews, and meetings with invited guests and representatives of education and local authorities).<< Results >>The results are: The students participating in the project became interested in literature, plays and theatre art. Their knowledge ofnative and world literature grew a lot, and of course, their ability to create their own literary production and drama developed.The main result of the project was: experience and acquired knowledge in the field of theatre and world literarywork and it came true magnificently. We also compiled and created a book with scenarios of plays, didactic materials based on presented plays, a brochurecontaining information about the life and work of the authors of the plays, photos, films, exhibitions, articles, photoreportsfrom trips. Staged theatre plays were recorded on electonic devices and serve as an educational material. This will be asupport for teachers dealing with topics related to the specific interests of students. The permament elements in eachpartner schools were also Theatre Clubs.The participation of drama activities develops students' aesthetic sensitivity,creative activity, shapes positive habits, develops them intellectually, enriches their world with new content, expandsvocabulary, develops logical thinking, and shapes memory and attention. It often happens that the staged play takes achild to another world, a world where anything can happen, a world that compensates for the studen's shortcomings,deficiencies or fears of the real world in which it lives. Overcoming their own fears and weaknesses enables to develop apositive image of themselves and raise self-esteem.The long-term benefits of the project will be the opportunity to use the experience and effects of the theater club toimplement school and local events and festivities.Participation in the project will contribute to enriching the educational offer of the school, developing cooperation with thelocal community and obtaining its support. Young people participating in the project will be better prepared to meet therequirements of the modern labor market because participation in theatrical performances will allow to overcomeshyness, increase self-acceptance and self-esteem. Students will cope better in stressful situations that requireimprovisation, creativity and concentration. Coordinating teachers will have the opportunity to get to know the students ina different context, an informal one, and can orient them in career depending on the skills and competences developed.The skills of communicating in English and usage of IT will improve. The different educational systems of partnercountries will be known. The project will learn the participants how to express themselves clearly and comment ondifferent topics easily. Their skills of body language and dance develop as well it will allow the to feel happier andhealthier both physically and mentally. The method of drama and its benefits will be popularized among teachers fromother schools. The historical and cultural heritage of each partner country will be introduces, students will understandpeople from different culture, language, religion and race, thus, the effective communicationskill will be built up.School management and teachers will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience, introduce beneficialchanges in schools, use innovative and informal teaching methods."