This is a cross-curricular project in which the Viking legacy as experienced in the four regions forms a focal point for the development of learning skills in the areas of Art, Language, History, Geography and Music. Information is shared between the schools in a variety of ways including Information Technology.

Project Aims

To enrich the learning of the children through an increased awareness of children's lifestyles and cultures in other European countries.

To strengthen the children's sense of identity.

To increase the children's awareness of the common threads in the history of the four regions.

To develop children's communication skills as they share their knowledge and experience with other children.

To provide purpose for pupils' writing so that skills are practised in a real context.

To enhance a cross-curricular approach to learning.

To provide staff awareness of educational systems other than N.Ireland.

To provide a channel for the sharing of experiences with staffs of other schools.

Links between the schools were first established in September 1996 through the SELB Europe in the Primary Classroom Project. Following the exchange of information between the children in the form of letters, photographs and pages from school magazines, preparatory visits were arranged to St.Conal's National School and to the Marslet Skole in Denmark. During these visits, the project was discussed and a tentative outline agreed by all the partners which formed the basis of a successful Comenius Action 1 application. The project was then launched in September 1997.

Content of the project

The project was designed with cross-curricularity in mind. It provides a context and genuine purpose for the three attainment targets in English, map-work skills in Geography, communication skills in English, and the organisation and presentation of information in History.

Writing

English and runic letters ; common alphabet ; coded messages.

Sagas : Thor and the giants.

Viking place names (Ireland, Denmark, France)

Viking words : Thor-Thursday etc.

Map work - Scandinavia, Ireland, France (Loire/Normandy)

History

A Danish perspective - Life as a Viking in Denmark

A French perspective - Life as a Viking settler in the Loire Valley

An Irish perspective - Brian Boraimhe (Battle of Clontarf)

Timeline work relating to the first Viking raids and the establishment of settlements

Art

Clay work, jewellery, coins, Thor's hammer, bowls, boats, weapons

Wall hangings based on story of Thor and the Giants

Technology/Science

Building longships from balsa wood

Use of Information Technology for processing and transmitting written work

Mathematics

Time lines - distances - direction / bearings

Geography

Mapwork related to Viking homelands and settlements in Britain, Ireland and France

Viking lands - nature of landscape - climate

Discovery routes - trading routes - attack routes.

Project co-ordinator : Mr. V. Braniff Principal St.Anthony's Primary School