From diary of Mr. Botev
Day 1
- At 10:00 a.m. we arrived at the school. We were welcomed by teachers and a group of students who took as around to show us their school. The school is very nice it have a good classrooms where students feel comfortable during the learning process. They also have cabinets for music, ART, Cooking and Craft cabinet. Every cabinet is well prepared with everything important for the learning process.
- At 11:20 a.m. We went to 2.B class for an ART lesson. Students were separated in groups 4-5 students and they were working on big size paper, around 50/70sm, using different materials to create a big painting with application technic and acrylic paints. Students were painting with patience and it looks like they liked the process. Teacher was watching the work of every group. When the paintings were ready, they put them on one of the walls of the classroom for decoration.
During the process in small brakes, students were singing songs and dancing.
- After school we went to center of Ljubljana. The idea was to go to visit some special and important places from Slovenian history. Our Slovenian colleges surprised us with a game that they were prepared for our visitation. We were separated in teams and for every team there was a map with 12 points. Every team had to get to these 12 points, every point was a important architecture monument from history of Ljubljana. First team to win the game was the team who get to point number 12 first. And because of the game, we were able to visit many places in short time. We were to places like Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, Central Market, Slovenian parliament building and many other special places. We enjoyed the connection with Slovenian history, exploring these important places in Ljubljana.
- At 11:20 a.m. We went to 2.B class for an ART lesson. Students were separated in groups 4-5 students and they were working on big size paper, around 50/70sm, using different materials to create a big painting with application technic and acrylic paints. Students were painting with patience and it looks like they liked the process. Teacher was watching the work of every group. When the paintings were ready, they put them on one of the walls of the classroom for decoration.
During the process in small brakes, students were singing songs and dancing.
- After school we went to center of Ljubljana. The idea was to go to visit some special and important places from Slovenian history. Our Slovenian colleges surprised us with a game that they were prepared for our visitation. We were separated in teams and for every team there was a map with 12 points. Every team had to get to these 12 points, every point was a important architecture monument from history of Ljubljana. First team to win the game was the team who get to point number 12 first. And because of the game, we were able to visit many places in short time. We were to places like Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, Central Market, Slovenian parliament building and many other special places. We enjoyed the connection with Slovenian history, exploring these important places in Ljubljana.
Day 2
- The day started with 7.A class in the CRAFT cabinet. The students were making key holders.
-Students were instructed by their teacher how to make their products step by step. They were working with some machines to get their job done and the teacher was watching students in every operation. He told them how to use correctly every machine to make their key holders better and in a good quality.
-Students were calm and comfortable to ask teacher if they have some questions.
Every student was working on his own project. At the end of the hour everyone was happy with his new key holder.
-Two more hours in the CRAFT cabinet with 6. A class. Students had the mission to make some interesting game from wood. They had to make some different operations during the process, witch included some work with the machines and some work by hand. At the beginning of the lesson, teacher was giving instructions and showing the process step by step to the students. Teacher was watching work of every student during the process.
-SPORT lesson, 9.B class. They had some different games outside. Some of the games were for group and some of them were individual.
-Students were instructed by their teacher how to make their products step by step. They were working with some machines to get their job done and the teacher was watching students in every operation. He told them how to use correctly every machine to make their key holders better and in a good quality.
-Students were calm and comfortable to ask teacher if they have some questions.
Every student was working on his own project. At the end of the hour everyone was happy with his new key holder.
-Two more hours in the CRAFT cabinet with 6. A class. Students had the mission to make some interesting game from wood. They had to make some different operations during the process, witch included some work with the machines and some work by hand. At the beginning of the lesson, teacher was giving instructions and showing the process step by step to the students. Teacher was watching work of every student during the process.
-SPORT lesson, 9.B class. They had some different games outside. Some of the games were for group and some of them were individual.
Day 3
-The day starts with SPORT lessons at the GYM. Many different games. Classes are split in two groups witch are playing different games and in some moments of the lesson they change their playground. They didn’t get bored in the process. Games are not only for physical training but for mind training also. Students had to think and to train their memory in the process.
-After school we went to Krizna Jama a cave notable for its many underground lakes, the remarkable collection of cave bear bones found in it, and the numerous cave fauna for which it represents a genuine, natural habitat.
-We also visited Rakov Škocjan. Forested river canyon with a hiking trail past natural rock bridges, caves & limestone formations.
-After school we went to Krizna Jama a cave notable for its many underground lakes, the remarkable collection of cave bear bones found in it, and the numerous cave fauna for which it represents a genuine, natural habitat.
-We also visited Rakov Škocjan. Forested river canyon with a hiking trail past natural rock bridges, caves & limestone formations.
Day 4
-Last day started with SPORT lessons in the gym. A lot of interesting games with students.
The program is good for the students. They had time for stretching, after that they play some group or individual games.
-After sport classes we visited ART cabinet with 6.B class. ART cabinet is comfortable the light is perfect. At the start of the lesson the teacher explained to the students the most important things about the specific work with contrast colours. Students were working with contrast colours. They were calm and happy in the process. Teacher was checking on students and gave an advice if students needed some help.
At the end of the lesson every student showed his artwork.
-ORFF WORKSHOP. This is the cabinet for music lessons. There we had a lesson with one of the music teachers and learned a lot about the music instruments that students are learning to play and for the whole learning process in the music lessons.
The program is good for the students. They had time for stretching, after that they play some group or individual games.
-After sport classes we visited ART cabinet with 6.B class. ART cabinet is comfortable the light is perfect. At the start of the lesson the teacher explained to the students the most important things about the specific work with contrast colours. Students were working with contrast colours. They were calm and happy in the process. Teacher was checking on students and gave an advice if students needed some help.
At the end of the lesson every student showed his artwork.
-ORFF WORKSHOP. This is the cabinet for music lessons. There we had a lesson with one of the music teachers and learned a lot about the music instruments that students are learning to play and for the whole learning process in the music lessons.
New knowledge
The school is full of interesting places inside and outside. Comfortable classrooms, good prepared cabinets for craft, music and art. Outside of the building there are some playgrounds for students from different age and interests. School is located on good place, quiet and calm.
Classes are 45 minutes each and brakes are 5 minutes. Students and teachers are enjoying healthy food at the school canteen.
Craft lesson with 6.A class was very interesting because the usage of different tools and technology for creating products from wood.
Teaching methods: explanation method, demonstration method, practice
Learning for all is enjoyable with teacher taking a very individual approach by asking everyone questions and watching individual work of every student. Teacher is not doing the project for the student, he helps him to do it on his own.
Learning aids: board, computer, notebook, every student have his own set of materials and tools
Course of the lesson:
At the beginning of the lesson, the teacher presents the idea of the project. The materials that students will need in the process and the most important things that they must know about the next steps. He carefully explained the construction of the product that students will make in the next minutes. They had а project design on the board with important sizes and marked places, where to cut and where to make a hole. In the process of sketching on the board, the teacher and the students commented most important information about the final product.
In the beginning of the practical part of the lesson, teacher explains all the operations that they will make during the process. He showed to students how to work correctly with all the machines that they will use in the process, safety was on first place as always. When students started to work with the machines, the teacher was watching how students are working on the machines and if they had some difficulties, he showed them how to do it in the right way.
At the end of the process students had some artwork by hand on their projects. That gave them some good feelings for really finishing their own projects. The final touch. At the end of the lesson every student is having his own wood product, witch was noughts and crosses game.
-Also the different games that students were playing at sport classes were great.
Every teacher decides what games to make for students. Games depend on the age of the students and in every possible moment, they are playing outside. It seems that students are used to practice different sport activities and to spend time outside.
Course of the excursion and observations:
We spend time exploring Ljubljana with all the historical monuments and great architecture. We learned a lot of information about history of the town and the life of people in Slovenia.
Also we went to Krizna Jama wich is a cave notable for its many underground lakes, the remarkable collection of cave bear bones found in it, and the numerous cave fauna.
We had a walk on the shore of Lake Cerknica witch is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe.
After that we visited Rakov Škocjan a forested river canyon with a hiking trail past natural rock bridges, caves & limestone formations.
We learned a lot about Slovenia during these trips. All these activities helped us to realise many things about the way of life and direction in the educational system.
Classes are 45 minutes each and brakes are 5 minutes. Students and teachers are enjoying healthy food at the school canteen.
Craft lesson with 6.A class was very interesting because the usage of different tools and technology for creating products from wood.
Teaching methods: explanation method, demonstration method, practice
Learning for all is enjoyable with teacher taking a very individual approach by asking everyone questions and watching individual work of every student. Teacher is not doing the project for the student, he helps him to do it on his own.
Learning aids: board, computer, notebook, every student have his own set of materials and tools
Course of the lesson:
At the beginning of the lesson, the teacher presents the idea of the project. The materials that students will need in the process and the most important things that they must know about the next steps. He carefully explained the construction of the product that students will make in the next minutes. They had а project design on the board with important sizes and marked places, where to cut and where to make a hole. In the process of sketching on the board, the teacher and the students commented most important information about the final product.
In the beginning of the practical part of the lesson, teacher explains all the operations that they will make during the process. He showed to students how to work correctly with all the machines that they will use in the process, safety was on first place as always. When students started to work with the machines, the teacher was watching how students are working on the machines and if they had some difficulties, he showed them how to do it in the right way.
At the end of the process students had some artwork by hand on their projects. That gave them some good feelings for really finishing their own projects. The final touch. At the end of the lesson every student is having his own wood product, witch was noughts and crosses game.
-Also the different games that students were playing at sport classes were great.
Every teacher decides what games to make for students. Games depend on the age of the students and in every possible moment, they are playing outside. It seems that students are used to practice different sport activities and to spend time outside.
Course of the excursion and observations:
We spend time exploring Ljubljana with all the historical monuments and great architecture. We learned a lot of information about history of the town and the life of people in Slovenia.
Also we went to Krizna Jama wich is a cave notable for its many underground lakes, the remarkable collection of cave bear bones found in it, and the numerous cave fauna.
We had a walk on the shore of Lake Cerknica witch is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe.
After that we visited Rakov Škocjan a forested river canyon with a hiking trail past natural rock bridges, caves & limestone formations.
We learned a lot about Slovenia during these trips. All these activities helped us to realise many things about the way of life and direction in the educational system.
From diary of Mr. Marchev
Day 1
It all started at 9.30 a.m. – my experience in a wonderful country, with wonderful people, a wonderful school and amazing teachers!
After the warm welcome from the host school, we talked with a lot of teachers, which helped to bring closer and remove all boundaries between people from different countries, but working the same humane activity.
The brightest thing on the first day is walking and exploring the school! A large and extensive base that is designed to be comfortable and beneficial to students and teachers. An important emphasis is that light and spaciousness are abundant! Of course, this is important for removing stress and good receptivity of students!
I entered different rooms and different teachers, we observed the learning process, approaches and styles of each teacher.
In music class, the children repeated different musical phrases, which differed with different rhythms and melody, stimulating the thinking and musical capabilities of the children. Arranged in a circle, the children with movement did complex rhythmic tasks. Listening to different muse. instruments from recording, they imitated playing. Looking at the screen different dances they tried to repeat the movements characteristic of the dance itself!
After the warm welcome from the host school, we talked with a lot of teachers, which helped to bring closer and remove all boundaries between people from different countries, but working the same humane activity.
The brightest thing on the first day is walking and exploring the school! A large and extensive base that is designed to be comfortable and beneficial to students and teachers. An important emphasis is that light and spaciousness are abundant! Of course, this is important for removing stress and good receptivity of students!
I entered different rooms and different teachers, we observed the learning process, approaches and styles of each teacher.
In music class, the children repeated different musical phrases, which differed with different rhythms and melody, stimulating the thinking and musical capabilities of the children. Arranged in a circle, the children with movement did complex rhythmic tasks. Listening to different muse. instruments from recording, they imitated playing. Looking at the screen different dances they tried to repeat the movements characteristic of the dance itself!
Day 2
Music class started with a rhythmic game where we have counting 2, 3, 4. Of course, the game for the student is an interesting thing!
Questions followed: how do you write a quarter, eight, a half and a whole break?
Various musical phrases,which the students had to memorize and sang.
In musical phrases there were quite a few difficult places such as legatures and various octaves.
Students performed rhythmic tasks with xylophone and other percussion instruments.
Participants had to play at a specific musical time.
English lesson – a wonderful lesson, the teacher was a virtuoso in his work!
The calm, pleasant intonation of the teacher seemed to merge with the light from the big windows and enchanted the intrigued little children! On the screen there were pictures of all kinds of animals, and the children with interest spoke their names. There was a recording of a conversation between a father and a small child lying down to sleep. How skillfully in this conversation was the theme of the names of animals. Many games with reproduction by children of different sounds, characteristic of animals. Many games with colors in English. At this hour, even sang!
Again music class and many games! Rhythmic task with clapping hands on a song about the animals. The teacher distributes various percussion instruments and shows how to play them. They are divided into groups, each group playing a certain game.
Questions followed: how do you write a quarter, eight, a half and a whole break?
Various musical phrases,which the students had to memorize and sang.
In musical phrases there were quite a few difficult places such as legatures and various octaves.
Students performed rhythmic tasks with xylophone and other percussion instruments.
Participants had to play at a specific musical time.
English lesson – a wonderful lesson, the teacher was a virtuoso in his work!
The calm, pleasant intonation of the teacher seemed to merge with the light from the big windows and enchanted the intrigued little children! On the screen there were pictures of all kinds of animals, and the children with interest spoke their names. There was a recording of a conversation between a father and a small child lying down to sleep. How skillfully in this conversation was the theme of the names of animals. Many games with reproduction by children of different sounds, characteristic of animals. Many games with colors in English. At this hour, even sang!
Again music class and many games! Rhythmic task with clapping hands on a song about the animals. The teacher distributes various percussion instruments and shows how to play them. They are divided into groups, each group playing a certain game.
Day 3
Music and children from 1st grade. They are sitting in a circle and sounds a slow and gentle song from the electronic textbook. The teacher has her eyes closed with an expression corresponding to the song. On the screen is the lyrics of the song, the words are replaced with pictures. After several entertaining games everyone goes outside. They continue to sing the song and the words from the song appear in front of them –
Flowers, grasses, birds, animals....!
Class in a physical and huge salon! Again games that are a challenge for speed mind and endurance. It is noteworthy that quick thought is important in every game. There was a punished student who at the end of the games had to collect the inventory and again after that was accepted in the group! How instructive, message and upbringing are important!
We also got acquainted with interesting facts from the nature of Slovenia. We looked at different natural formations, lakes,rivers, underground rivers. We visited a beautiful cave and listened to interesting facts!
How many kind hosts!!!!
Flowers, grasses, birds, animals....!
Class in a physical and huge salon! Again games that are a challenge for speed mind and endurance. It is noteworthy that quick thought is important in every game. There was a punished student who at the end of the games had to collect the inventory and again after that was accepted in the group! How instructive, message and upbringing are important!
We also got acquainted with interesting facts from the nature of Slovenia. We looked at different natural formations, lakes,rivers, underground rivers. We visited a beautiful cave and listened to interesting facts!
How many kind hosts!!!!
Day 4
We started with physical. Games requiring activity, speed, mind, body coordination! It is noteworthy that it behaves on team spirit, empathy. I noticed a gradation in class. Gradually raising the pace and emotion, then subsiding.
In the hour of painting I observed interesting techniques that aroused the interest of the children!
The teacher was calm and persuasive,creating a wonderful working atmosphere.
In craft class, the children had many machines that they used to make their products. The creative atmosphere was also due to the long-haired teacher who managed to intrigue the students.
At the same time, communication and exchange of experience with Slovanian teachers was continuous every hour and recess!
In the hour of painting I observed interesting techniques that aroused the interest of the children!
The teacher was calm and persuasive,creating a wonderful working atmosphere.
In craft class, the children had many machines that they used to make their products. The creative atmosphere was also due to the long-haired teacher who managed to intrigue the students.
At the same time, communication and exchange of experience with Slovanian teachers was continuous every hour and recess!
New knowledge
It was an interesting experience, and of course there were things I learned, or rather realized. We live in different countries, with different mentalities, and I think I have to sort out the things that will work in my school.
The space, light and many halls in this Slovenian school contribute to reducing stress in students and increase the desire for knowledge. It is immediately noticeable that the learning material is served under any type of games, this fascinates children and they are intrigued. Students sit a little at desks, for most of the hours they are standing or sitting on the floor depending on the game.
Teachers are calm, confident and do not raise their voices, absorbed in the lesson.
In terms of discipline, children do not cross the limit of normal working noise, they are focused and serious. If a student overdoes it, the teacher makes a thieving remark, arguing what the student has done wrong.
A good impression is that the lesson is often held outside.A wonderful solution of course!
Teachers have modern equipment, the projector is in every room. Thus, the interactive textbook is used not only for playing songs, but also for displaying video.
The school has many musical instruments, which increases the musical culture and inflames their desire for music!
In the art rooms there are many materials and different machines and equipment that students have!
The space, light and many halls in this Slovenian school contribute to reducing stress in students and increase the desire for knowledge. It is immediately noticeable that the learning material is served under any type of games, this fascinates children and they are intrigued. Students sit a little at desks, for most of the hours they are standing or sitting on the floor depending on the game.
Teachers are calm, confident and do not raise their voices, absorbed in the lesson.
In terms of discipline, children do not cross the limit of normal working noise, they are focused and serious. If a student overdoes it, the teacher makes a thieving remark, arguing what the student has done wrong.
A good impression is that the lesson is often held outside.A wonderful solution of course!
Teachers have modern equipment, the projector is in every room. Thus, the interactive textbook is used not only for playing songs, but also for displaying video.
The school has many musical instruments, which increases the musical culture and inflames their desire for music!
In the art rooms there are many materials and different machines and equipment that students have!