Summary

• Build relationships between different schools and cultures;
• raise awareness of the cultural similarity based on shared roots of many countries;
• organize a visit to a chosen monument or site that represents common ties;
• create a script for a theatrical performance based on knowledge acquired during a guided visit.

Target group
Students age 15-18 from schools in cities across Europe.

Before the project
The aim is to encourage students to learn about each other and create friendships while learning about shared cultural roots:

• select countries to participate in an activity that will enhance cultural similarities;
• choose a historical site in which these common roots are shared by all participating countries;
• set up an organizing committee. Invite individual classes, schools and or cities to participate. Connect with the appropriate level of government, whether municipal, provincial, or national. Invite experts to contribute to the creation of the student activities;
• formulate an activity that will show the evolution of the site and compare the use of the different structures throughout time. For instance, students could prepare a script for a performance representing their interpretation of the site to conclude the activity;
• as a didactic tool, prepare a booklet containing a description of the site. Give clues on the original state of the historical structures;
• create a map of the location where you want to hold the event. Show building shapes and other physical landmarks, without names, or any information, in order to help students work together, navigate through the site and work out what structures were used for what purposes;
• establish a timeline giving students plenty of time for socializing;
• assign students to groups (five to ten) from different schools and cities. At least one common language in the group is advisable;
• arrange for guides to be at each highlighted structure in order to answer questions. The guides could use historic costumes and act out a possible interpretations of the site.

During the project

• Assign students to their groups. Make sure that each student gets a map and a booklet;
• consider asking students to dress in historical costumes;
• ask each group to write and perform a scene that demonstrates their group identity based on the formulated scripts;
• award prizes to all those with the best performances;

Follow-up

• Create an interactive website that will foster relationships between students.

updated on: 8 August, 2006