M3 - Globalisation and Citizenship – Henrik’s lessons

On Friday 20th we had a Globalisation and Citizenship lesson with a new teacher – Henrik.
He started the lesson with giving everybody a very cold stone to hold as tough as possible during next couple of minutes…Oh! It was freezing so much (he had cooled it in a box of ice before). And the explanation which was coming later?
The stone was as a person in troubles (cold) – and it should show us that sometimes it HURTS to help, to keep somebody warm.
The question from Henrik was: Are you ready to give, to help, to pay costs – not only receive? --- It was a pretty good, touching and therefore unforgettable example of the basis of citizenship – not only to GET, but also to GIVE. I liked that “practical” example very much!

Then we started to work in groups with Obama´s inauguration speech – finding key words of citizenship. We were going to work with them more in a following lesson too. Unfortunately I had to leave this lesson earlier, because I was having an appointment at a chiropractor with my back…

For Monday 23rd we should prepare presentations about “How is citizenship taught in our country”. Then we were watching and discussing some stories and songs connected to citizenship – for example: Earthsong by Michael Jackson, Where is the Love by Black Eyed Peas and Shawshank. Some interesting ideas from this lesson:
“Sitting in front of TV is better than playing computer games”. (Computer games are often based on killing, hurting other people... On the other hand, you can find quite a lot of social messages in TV series and films such as Baywatch, Superman and Armageddon…)
We also spoke about balance between
-globalization vs. nationalism
-rights and duties
“You have no rights without duties, and no duties without rights”.

And a notice from Shawshank film: “Freedom can be also between walls, freedom is in your mind”.
I think it can be good idea to speak during a language lesson with pupils more about the meaning, deeds and consequences of behaviour in some TV and music scenes; to discuss the social message in them. In my opinion the topic of citizenship and democracy can be used in language lessons quite a lot…
To speak more about freedom hand in hand with responsibility;, about duties and rights; about giving, not only greed to get… to help the pupils to grow up into good citizens and help them to understand the world…

We also get homework – to make a POCKET VIDEO about democracy and citizenship.
Why a “pocket” video? It should be made with a mobile-phone (or a digital camera) – the thing you usually have in your pocket with you…
I found the idea of pocket videos quite interesting – because it is the way how to USE A MOBILE-PHONE in the lesson. Pupils usually love their phones and can be creative, using the newest technology at school. So – why not? :)

In the last lesson with Henrik – on Friday 27rd (in fact it was our last lesson of the whole programme, unfortunately) we watched a scene from The Lord of the Rings (a part with a quarrel and then making a fellowship). Then we were discussing it and working in groups – finding the key-words from Obama’s speech which can be connected with this scene. I liked it very much. A few ideas got from that:
“Everybody can be tempted by power.”
“Arguing is good, but not fighting.” (arguing is a part of democracy – that’s right)

Then we were working in groups on the second task – to find the biggest challenges about citizenship nowadays – on personal, national and global level and how can they be solved and taught.

I confess that I liked these lessons so much. I liked the Henrik´s way of thinking, the way of working with us, the way he gave us ideas and made us thinking…


AND I WAS VERY SAD THAT ALL THE LESSONS AT UCSyd HAD FINISHED THAT FRIDAY. Since then we have been having practice at Danish schools.

I liked the whole programme very much, it really fulfilled my expectations. Moreover – it was even better then I expected. I think it helped me to "extend my horizons", to discover not only Danish school system and Danish culture, but also the wideness and beauty of European cultures, helping me to understand more to each other, to see my own country, culture and school-system from outside …And what is more it supported me to learn more about myself, helping me to be more open-minded, tolerant and respectful, self-sufficient, responsible, co-operative, understandable… I hope this will help me – and I will be really trying – to be a good European citizen. I think this was the most important thing which is this programme about and I am really happy about that. I think it helped me to thing more about my values and about things what I would like to do and not to do in my life… And it learnt me to ASK QUESTIONS, AND BE CRITICAL AND TOLERANT AT THE SAME TIME. I know it is only the BEGINNING and there is much more to learn, but I am very glad for that.

And of course – I am really looking forward to my practice at a Danish school!
I consider it a next step in the study programme.

I would love to say something right now:
Thank you to everyone – the teachers, my schoolmates and house-mates and all the people who contribute to this programme. “Living and Learning Together”. TUSIND TAK!

26th March - History - WWII

On Thursday 26th we had an additional lesson of history with Jorn, because we had asked for having this great teacher again. And Jorn told us a lot about Second World War. It was perfect to hear about WWII – all in 3 hours – the most important facts, connections, context and lot of interesting things too. I had never heard that so complexly before. And it was very interesting to hear about WWII “from outside”, also about happenings in the Czech history from someone from a different country. I was glad to have that lesson, mange tak Jorn!

18th&24th March - Aabenraa – Drama, Music and Movement

On Wednesday 18th we travelled to Aabenraa to have lessons at that department of UCSyd. They were focused on Drama – with Flemming and on Music with Linda. First of all we played some “icebreaking” games as a “Shark” – Flemming explained us that it is much easier for some pupils to “break the barriers, to get over shyness” while they are having some role. Because if you are “shark”, you think for the shark and much less how you are looking etc…
We also made rhythms with drums and cups, I enjoyed that pretty much.
And we learnt a Danish song – Godmorgen sol :)


We made “monuments” with Flemming then. That group had to make “Zooropa”.
1) stable position and concentration
2) “Zooropa”
Isn´t it great?





And after the lunch break (spent outside in a sunny weather), we learnt to play SAMBA with Linda. I had to leave a bit earlier and go back to Haderslev for physiotherapy…












On Tuesday 24th we started with simple dances as polka and some traditional Danish group dances. I very enjoyed Linda playing accordion, it made me involved in the atmosphere.:)


We sang some more morning songs – as I realized, morning songs are very important for Danish people, maybe because they miss sun…:)

Then we did very interesting activities with Flemming – such as “Embryo” – waking up with the music and exploring things and people around…It was really deep feeling for me…

And then we made performances in 2 groups on music. We had masks and white overalls… I was surprised how much can be expressed without mimics and voice, just through body language… (*60-70% of our communication is via body language, you don´t even have to know about that. Your body reveals much more than you intend…)
The masks also helped us to be more involved, relaxed, focused on playing without being shy…
And group photo in the end :)





Then I stayed the whole afternoon in Aabenraa, exploring the nice old streets, harbour, just enjoying the atmosphere of that sunny day …

M3 – Globalisation and Citizenship – Torbjorn´s lessons

In week 12 and 13 (+week 8) we had mostly lessons of Module 3 - GLOBALISATION AND CITIZENSHIP.
On Tuesday 17th we discussed what democracy is. We also spoke lot about tolerance and freedom and where the boarder, the limit of freedom is. We come into the topic of the controversial cartoons (depicting Muslim prorogues etc. - see e.g. http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/bloggraphics/JP-011005-Muhammed-Westerga.jpg) and spoke about Durban II…Really interesting! And for sure those cartoons became a part of Danish culture and history and it was good to speak and learn more about it…

On Thursday 19th we dealt with how to LEARN DEMOCRACY. We worked in groups and we were made “theories” and “signs”. Then we introduced all of our ideas (we filled all the blackboards in the classroom - so many thought we had had :)).
And then we tried to use constructive critics to find and discuss weak points of these ideas and find a way how to deal with these weak sides or in which situations is better to use another approach. I found that making a really good and useful “constructive critics” without any pressure is very difficult.
Some good ideas from the lesson – how to teach and learn democracy:
- to make common decisions (e.g. eat and drink in the lesson?, using the mobile phone? – either no one or the teacher too)
- don’t compare students too much
- not too hard punishments
- integration
- evaluation by both teacher and students
- feedback
I found the lesson very interesting and practical.

On Wednesday 25th we watched some parts of films on YouTube connected with learning democracy which we prepared (e.g. Take the Lead, Dead Poets Society, Freedom Writers or Dangerous Minds…). I am sure I will watch some of them. Then Torbjorn introduced us to a non-violent communication theory by Marshall Rosenberg – the language of giraffe and jackal (NEEDS x judgements, analysis and diagnosing). That was very interesting and in my opinion really useful in everyone’s life. It made me thinking about many situations in my life and many mistakes of people’s communication. A lot more to learn!

What I really liked about Torbjorn´s lessons was that they “opened me another door”, they brought me some questions, they made me thinking…

13th March - IW - The Last Day with The International Students

On Friday we made presentations and porfolios about the International week. We were pretty free in a way how to make that and each group took it different way - which was great!
We had a crossword, a performance with pictures, presentations, drawings, a bow with stuff, an internet-magazine...

At noon a very special occasion was happening in the college yard. The headmaster had 50th birthday and you know what? He decided to open a hot-dog- and a beer-stand for all students and teachers of the college...Unbelievable :-)
Danish flags couldn´t be missing on the birthday-day, of course. :-)
And I managed to get a picture of me, hot-dog and the headmaster :-)

After these hot-dogs we had a "farewell international lunch" together. Everyone should prepare or bring something typical from their countries - chocolate, cheese, drink, cake...whatever. :-) We filled our stomaches pretty much and we enjoyed it even more :-)



















Later on we went with some schoolmates to the Haderslev windmill and museum, it was beautiful sunny afternoon and we enjoyed taking pictures altogether there very much. :-)


We wanted to spend toghether as much time as possible, therefore we had also the last party at Christina´s flat. We enjoyed it very much (Mange tak, Christina!). And on the way home, I must confess, I felt so sad that I am not going to see most of the people any more... We just get used to all of the international students so quickly and now they are going to leave... So, saying Goodbye and "See you" was pretty difficult...

12th March - IW - Reflection on the School Experience

On Thursday the 12th we had altogheter a lesson for reflections on the school experience. Erasmus students didn´t go to a school-visit that day, but we had the lesson together with the "international students", who had school-visits that morning. We spoke about the differences noticed in Danish schools in comparison with our systems. I would like to mention two more features in Danish schools, about which I haven´t spoken before and which I found very important:

• no marks until the grade 8th (really!)
• knowing answer by understanding, not by heart

Then we spoke together more about WHY are there differences in European school-systems, what is behind. And we found 3 things very important:

• climate
• economy
• religion

Maybe I wouldn´t agree with religion, I would say "history" instead. We were speaking about the Protestant Church (in fact a lot of small churches) - that people had to be much more tolerant and democratic there. However, I would say that people had to have been tolerant and democratic even before the Protestant Church "succeeded", was accepted and adopted in Nordic countries. That this way of thinking was in peoples minds and culture before protestantism. And this way of thinking allowed the reformation to succeed in the North.

The second thing about what we spoke then was - why in the North. And suprising thing for me, that that is not only geography, but also historical impact. Since Danish and other nations in the North never experienced absolutism. Absolutism never reached this area, e.g. Roman empire was almost in the whole Europe, but not here...
Interesting. Sometimes you are surprised how many things can be behind!
And what I really like about this study-programme is that we go behind. That it is not just only about observing the differences, but also thinking why. And it helps you to think more about your own system too; what from another system you can use in your country, what is difficult to change, what can help you to do things different way etc. ...

11th-12th March - IW - Music lessons

During the International week we had quite a lot Music lessons.
On Wednesday we had Music with Else Marie. It was mostly focused on using body and voice in many different ways. Most of all I liked the "COMPOSING parts" - we composed our own music in many different ways. Else Marie showed us that we, and the children, can compose our own music without any special music knowledge. We really liked the composition according to a grafic part:




We also experssed some emotions according pictures of faces - through music composition. Exciting! Sometimes you don´t need so much for making a composition, just some frame, ideas and enthusiasm. Good idea with the faces - to start children to thing, how to express it...and they MAKE THE MUSIC then. :)





We listened to Pictures from Exhibition by Musorgskij and drew two different pictures according to Promenade 2 and 3. And then we made our own "exhibition" :).

I very enjoyed the "music-puzzle" for The Gnome music, I am sure I can use it with my pupils in the Czech Republic.
We got many useful ideas for activites and materials from this lesson and also the CD with music for it. Mange tak, Else Marie.



On Thursday we had Music lesson with Annette, we introduced some our national songs each other. Our Spanish friends, always in good mood, sang for us our favourite song "Tolon, tolon" too :)



We really enjoyed sharing our national songs with the others, it is obvious :)

9th-10th March - The Inte-nse Inte-rnational Week :) - Monday&Tuesday

Week 11 was very "intense time of Living and Learning Together". 14 more students from the whole Europe came to enjoy and learn for one week with us. Moreover, some Danish students joined us. All of them really quickly fit in our group, we became a big "team".


On Monday morning we, and especially the "intenational students", were nicely welcomed and introduced to the whole programme. We did some "get-acquainted" activities and then we had music with Annette. Then the international students had a Danish Educatoinal System lesson and Tour of College, therefore we had some freetime. After that we had a Danish lesson altogether. And then the walk through Haderslev with our History-teacher followed. Eventhough it was raining pretty much, nobody wanted to missed that. It was really interesting to hear more about Haderslev from such an educated (and also entrertaining :) )person.

In the evening we were all invited to the canteen for a dinner and so called "Get-together-evening". ...It fulfilled its name very well! :)
We ate a delicious dinner (frikadeller couldn´t be missing :), of course), spoke a lot together, had a lot of fun...Also time for quitar and singing came (we sang mostly Danish songs, sure...Our pronunciation was excellent :D ;)) And we spontaneously started to some games altogether, it was very good time...
And we didn´t want to go home too early, we just wanted to spend more time together, so we finished the day with going for a beer...:)

























On Tuesday we went together with Canan, Zep, Noemi and Máté to ESBJERG. The others went for a trip to Ribe, but we had unfortunately been there before, so we didn´t join them. Canan and Zep needed a stamp to their visas, so we traveled with them to the International Department at police station in Esbjerg. After about half an hour they finally got it - you can see their really happy faces! :)

Than we travelled to the Esbjerg´s seashore, where we could find four big white statues. Canan had a very good wisecrack - she called them "four men on the toalet" :D These men are pretty lucky - they can sit, relax and watch the beautiful sea all the time ;)

After we were thinking about going to the "Fish-and-Sea Museum" with a huge aquarium, but unfortunately it was very expensive, 80 DKK. Therefore we decided to go to Ribe directly. However, we saw a giant whale-skeleton in front of the museum...Astonishing!

That day the weather was beautiful, that´s why Ribe looked different, even nicer then last time. I took loads of pictures again. Unfortunately we didn´t spent so much time there, we just deliver Canan to the others and then we left...




Anyway, we stopped on the way home at the seaside near Ribe, the place, where enormous flocks of birds can be seen, but unfortunately we saw none :) Nevertheless, the place was very beatutiful and I could see about 3-or4-metres-high embankment, which protect the land from high water during sea-storms... There were also colourful Danish houses, in my opinion a lovely place where to live...