Where am I from? Human Migration (LS-EU-71)
Context of this learning scenario
This learning scenario is meant to be used with children aged 9-11 years. The main aims of the scenario are:
- to identify the currently used word “migration” and to discover the background of students’ families and the reasons why each family migrated to a different country;
- to understand what is each one’s identity;
- talk about feelings and impacts of migration and listen to the stories of others.
We hear almost daily about migration. But only a few primary school pupils understand clearly its meaning. During this project, children discovered the risks and positives of migration.
The lesson about human migration was created in a multicultural and multilingual school in Italy. The school provides education in mother tongue/dominant language to children living abroad. The project was directed towards Czech language classes of level 4 and 5 in Primary school.
Why developing this learning scenario?
Living in a multicultural society, this learning scenario encourages young children to reflect on their personal identities. They can explore their family backgrounds by interviewing their parents and grandparents. It is very important to talk about the feelings created by living abroad and also to increase the understanding of the impact of migration.
During all activities, I gave priority to methods such as critical thinking, group discussion, listening to others and sharing of experiences.
Europeana blog showed us a lot of interesting stories of people around the world during different periods of time.
You can extend all activities using tablets or notebooks. You can also easily adapt the activities for the other languages and subject as Discovery of the world.
Activities
Students shared and organised facts, stories and ideas about the migration, they improved their reading and writing skills. They enjoyed the lessons, most of them have experience with moving to another country and facing a new language, school, culture. Students interviewed their families and wrote their stories. They shared the stories with the class.
Reading Europeana collection of “Every object tells a story” was a great example for the pupils. Indeed, it created big motivation to choose an object that means something to them.
For my pupils, the most interesting part was to create their personal poster. They were very proud of it! I had planned for this activity 45 minutes only. Nevertheless, it was not enough to finish the poster. Another 30 minutes was necessary and 15 minutes for their presentation and sharing with others.
Additionally, another interesting part was to create their own poster. They were very proud of it! I had planned for this activity 45 minutes only. Nevertheless, it was not enough to finish the poster. Another 30 minutes was necessary and 15 minutes for their presentation and sharing with others.
They enjoyed this final task very much: children aged 9-11 years were working very seriously!
Would you like to know more about this learning scenario? You can download it below:
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