Project Days for Primary Education Students
18. September 2023Fourth-year Primary Education students organised project days for pupils in Years 1 to 5 of primary school during the summer semester as part of the course Teacher’s Presentation Skills, which focuses, among other things, on the creation and implementation of school projects.
The project topics were diverse – ranging from history, natural sciences, and arts to current issues such as internet safety, fake news, and working with information. The projects fulfilled theoretical objectives and adhered to the Framework Educational Programme for Primary Education. The project days took place at the Faculty of Humanities and included pupils from the faculty’s partner school at Tř. Svobody, Zlín-Malenovice, and the cooperating school at M. Alše, Zlín-Podhoří. We thank the students, schools, and their pupils for their meaningful and active participation.
AROUND THE WORLD – Students, authentically dressed as flight attendants and a pilot, introduced pupils to selected world cities (Paris, Tokyo, London), where the entire class “travelled” by plane. In each imaginary city, children learned about cultural customs, the language of the country, and other interesting facts while completing various tasks. This project was designed for Year 3 primary school pupils.
WITH A SUITCASE ACROSS EUROPE – This project focused on learning about European countries, their cultures, and famous landmarks (France, Belgium, Slovenia). The cross-curricular theme Education for Thinking in European and Global Contexts was supported. A particular focus was placed on the currency of each country, specifically the euro, which Year 5 pupils used during various activities.
A JOURNEY INTO THE PAST – The primary goal of this project was to introduce children to various historical periods (Prehistory, Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and Modern Times). Sub-goals included encouraging pupils to apply acquired knowledge through practical activities, developing creative thinking, and enhancing the communication skills of Year 4 pupils. To align with the historical theme, the project included the use of period costumes and artefacts with which the students decorated classrooms.
SAFER INTERNET – The students prepared a project whose aim was to acquaint 5th grade pupils with the risks of using the Internet and the prevention of dangerous phenomena in an experiential way.The specific objectives of the project were to introduce the positives and negatives of using social networks, to define and explain the terms cyberbullying, sexting, cyberbullying, to introduce the characteristics of a fraudulent e-mail, to explain the features of a secure password.
A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE SUBJECT – The content of the topic was aimed at demonstrating different conceptions of one object through the students’ own creations. Its central aim was to introduce Year 3 pupils to selected art movements using a constructivist approach to education. The sub-objectives included developing pupils’ group collaboration skills, reading comprehension skills, effective information handling skills, communication skills, as well as preparing.
FAKE NEWS – The main purpose of the project was to introduce the phenomenon of Fake News to 4th grade pupils. During the project they were introduced how to defend themselves against manipulative information, but also how easy it is to edit a photo. The pupils addressed how to prevent alarmist or fake news from controlling us.
WHAT OUR BODIES CAN DO – The project focused on learning about the human body and how it works. Year 5 pupils had the opportunity to check how selected areas of the human body work, creating their own book about the human body during the project. Students prepared activities based on exploration, experimentation and verification activities.
LIFE WITHOUT WATER – The aim of the project was to introduce the children to what life would be like without water, helping them to understand how important water is to us. Pupils constructed a water filtration system through a STEM activity. The project for Year 5 pupils was based on their teamwork and they successfully managed to solve a challenging project task.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE ON THE INTERNET – The aim of the project was to introduce pupils to safe communication on the Internet, including knowledge of the rules of appropriate communication. Year 5 pupils had the opportunity to strengthen their skills in behaving towards others on social networks, while addressing current issues of communication on the internet.
SENSES – The project for pupils in the first year of primary school aimed to “test” the senses. During activities focused on hearing, smell, sight, taste and touch, children could discover the essence of the functioning of each sense and assess their own level. The selected activities were prepared in accordance with the outcomes of the Framework Educational Project,suitable environment for experimenting with colour combinations and guiding them to create their own art product using their newly acquired knowledge. thus extending the foundation of the regular curriculum in this area.