Around the World at Curwen!

In Mini World Experience we bring the world into the classroom.

Every class choose a country that is cross curricular linked with the year groups learning for this term. For instance, Year 5 are taught Spanish as part of them learning a Modern Foreign Language. Hence Spain was a chosen country for two of the classes. The other two classes focused on Greece as their topic work is on Ancient Greece.

Each class hosts to their visitors what they have learnt about their country. When travelling the visitors carry their passports and record key information about that country, such as, the climate, its geographical location and anything else they have learnt.

This year the focus was on the use of language (greetings, written captions, translations, etc.), use of geography skills (climate, map work using the 4-grid method, comparisons, human / physical features, speaking and presenting skills or level of peer teaching, atmosphere / environment (music / decoration / props), and engagement of children / activities. For example, Year 5 children researched in Literacy about their chosen country and created an information text. This was used in the Mini World Experience when the children hosted their visitors.

 

The countries represented this year are:

Nursery = all around the world

Reception = Bangladesh

1K = Wales

1W = Scotland

1I = England

1C = Northern Ireland

2SA & 2T = Hawaii (USA flag)

2L & 2SO = Ghana

3M & 3F = Egypt

3L & 3H = Nigeria

4O & 4M = Brazil

4G & 4GM = Peru

5CB & 5A = Greece

5T & 5C = Spain

6A & 6W = Trinidad & Tobago

6K & 6C = Jamaica

 

Oak Class = oceans around the world

The judges did find this a challenge to select Mini World winners.

Reception: RH

Key stage 1

1st place: 2L

2nd place: 1W

Lower key stage 2

1st place: 4G

2nd place: 4GM

Upper key stage 2

1st place: 5C

2nd place: 6K

 

Comments made on their favourite moments:

“My favourite moment was the bull fighting in 5T. It is done in Spain where the bulls fight with humans.” (Amirah, 5CB)

“This morning our activity was to share coffee painting and smelling coffee beans with our travellers. They were surprised about our amazing facts about Peruvian coffee.” (Hudayfa and Sara, 4G)

“We visited Egypt. We learnt how to say hello – As-aalaam alaikum.” (Deya, 2SO)

“My favourite was the food because I got to taste different foods and learnt new things by the quiz that I took.” (Thiago, 6K)

“It was absolutely fantastic to see how engaged and knowledgeable the children were, and the classrooms look wonderful! I realise a lot of hard work has gone into the day, but everyone (including me) seemed to be having a really wonderful time whether hosting or visiting. To me it is such a wonderful way to make the learning memorable and enjoyable for the children, and the cross curricular links made were creatively done. The children were clearly, and very rightly, extremely proud of themselves.” (Mrs Mansfield, Head of School)