PROJECT SUMMARY

Aim

To improve young children's understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of peoples in Europe.

Objectives

To design in-service training courses for teachers which will enable them to adopt a cross-curricular approach to the origins and resolution of cultural differences in Europe appropriate for children in primary education.

To provide teachers with easy access, in electronic form (Internet and CD-ROM), to a range of relevant teaching materials.

To enable teachers to participate in an established international network of primary schools and thereby to develop individual Comenius Action 1 projects.

Themes

Year 1 "The origins of difference"

The development of in-service training courses and teaching materials on the theme of "Journeys" in order to highlight the origins of cultural diversity within Europe, eg. migration.

Year 2 "The experience of difference"

The development of in-service training courses and teaching materials on the theme of "Conflict and Settlement" in order to highlight the initial experiences of different cultures coming into contact in a European context.

Year 3 "The accommodation of difference"

The development of in-service training courses and teaching materials on the theme of "Living Together" in order to highlight the resolution of conflict arising from cultural differences in a European context.

The specific focus of each course will be determined by the respective partners based on individual national interests or circumstances, but will be addressed using a common methodology. The focus might be past or present, and could include curriculum areas such as History, Geography, Science,Technology, Art, Music/Dance, Mythology, Language, and Religion.