Kids Go Continental With University
30 May 2012
A class at Etwall Primary School learning the geography of France with University of Derby student, Kirsty Fosh
This event was a wonderful celebration of learning
”Professor Des Hewitt, the University's Assistant Head of Teacher Education,
A class at Etwall Primary School learning the French names for animals - with University of Derby student Sammy Bill.
Primary school children at two Derbyshire schools learned how to order breakfast in a French cafe, built the Eiffel Tower, created their own poetry, and even had a go at designing their own website, during a week of activity with students at the University of Derby.
Students and staff from the University's BEd (Hons) Education degree have been working with Fairmeadows Primary School in Swadlincote and Etwall Primary School over the past year, designing resources for the teaching of language and communication. Their hard work was celebrated recently with two days packed full of activity.
On 25 May teaching at Etwall Primary School was handed over to 11 of the University's trainee teachers, who each led a class dedicated to French language and culture. After spending the morning building the Eiffel Tower, singing in French, ordering a snack from a café menu and even navigating French rivers, the children then showed what they had learned to their teachers during a special afternoon assembly.
Claire Scott, Module Leader at the University of Derby, said: "During the last year our students have worked to develop interactive ways to engage the children with the language and culture of France. This day-long event was their chance to come into a school and deliver their teaching, and they have all done a wonderful job."
Sasha de Silva, 21, originally from Bracknell, who is the in the third year of a B.Ed (Hons) Primary degree, said: "This was a fantastic opportunity to develop resources and teach children we have never met before. The children all really engaged with the theme of France, and spending a whole day teaching in the classroom was a fantastic way to end the year."
Etwall Primary School's MFL subject leader, Kate Warburton, added: "The children were really looking forward to the day and they were not disappointed. The students have delivered some great activities, and I know the children will all be going home with some facts about France and some new French words."
Earlier that week, on 22 May, every pupil of Fairmeadows Primary School visited the University of Derby's Kedleston Road site for a day of activities led by University Teacher Educators and trainee teachers.
The 230 children from every year group enjoyed poetry workshops using musical instruments, had a go at paint printing with fruit and vegetables, created their own speaking character on a website and even enjoyed a football session with Derby County Football Club.
The day was a celebration of the work a group of B.Ed (Hons) Primary Trainee Teachers who developed children's literacy and languages through the use of technology.
Professor Des Hewitt, the University's Assistant Head of Teacher Education, said: "Our students have visited Fairmeadows a number of times over the last year, working with the children in language and communication, and of course supporting their own learning on their degree course. We wanted to invite the children to the University as a way of developing aspiration and achievement.
"This innovative project has been incredibly valuable to our students, giving them vital skills in the classroom and in developing teaching materials. This event was a wonderful celebration of learning."
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