“Learning with all senses” Comenius multilateral project INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL CENTRE Cluj-Napoca The water world

Motto: „Nature is the only book where every page keeps a truth.” (Goethe)

About the project? Duration: October 2009 – May 2010 People involved: Comenius classes: 3 rd A Class 8 th B Class Kindergarden Partners: 4 th D Class

Why we have chosen this theme?  Through water education, individuals: discover their role in the hydrological cycle. secure social and economic stability, as well as a healthy environment

Why we have chosen this theme? discover and understand the concepts of habitat, food webs, life cycles, adaptation, decomposition, interdependence, animal structures and behavior, biological control and environmental characteristics

Why we have chosen this theme?  the students enjoyed very much dealing with water;  it has a rich thematic;

Why we have chosen this theme?  it offers multiple opportunities to discover the world through all senses;

 Swimming benefits the physical development of a child and is a vital part of the physical education curriculum

Hydrotherapy and Swimming : allows children with learning difficulties to focus on the challenging task of coordinating their bodies to swim; as well as being fun;

Hydrotherapy and Swimming : is an excellent way to develop the motor skills of a child, not only the large muscles of the child, but also the cerebral skills of coordination;

Hydrotherapy and Swimming : provides a social outlet where a child can build confidence and social skills; offer the perfect outlet for children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD);

Hydrotherapy and Swimming : provide therapy for a Down syndrome child, allowing him to relax as he enjoys the sensation of floating in the water; is a great way to help Down syndrome children stay active;

Thematic map: Water world The phenomena of nature Water Related Ecosystems ( Types of ecosystems, aquatic habitats : lakes, rivers, oceans, seas, stream, pond etc.) Water used by humans Lifestyle impacts /conservation Science of Water (Liquid exploration, properties, water cycle etc.) Hydrotherapy and swimming Aquatic pets (turtles, fish, snail)

What we intend for our students to achieve? Science and mathematics to identify and use common organizational structures such as chronological order. to identify and use a variety of eco-words (sounds witch imitate animals, birds, natural; phenomenon, water ); To take care of the aquatic pets;

What we intend for our students to achieve? to observe, explores and describe a wide variety of plants, fish and animals, and their habitats.

What we intend for our students to achieve? To observe the Someş river as a part of a total ecosystem; To introduce the science of water and its importance to living things; To explore the human use of water;

To observe, explore and discuss about habitats, the water cycle, water properties, the phenomena of nature, watersheds, plants, soil, populations and community, and ecosystems;

What we intend for our students to achieve? Practical ability and educational therapies to use natural and synthetic materials to reproduce different elements from nature; to participate actively to household activities to get personal autonomy

What we intend that our students achieve? to participate actively to the decoration of the school’s hall and the classroom;

What we intend for our students to achieve?  Hydrotherapy and Swimming: to vanquish the anxiety from water; To explore the aquatic space through all senses; To develop a good breath control;

What we intend for our students to achieve? To practice different swimming and relaxation techniques;

What we intend for our students to achieve? To demonstrate basic motor and axial movements in the water and on the ground; To demonstrate the ability to define and maintain personal space;

What we intend for our students to achieve? to increase vocabulary through everyday communication; to includin problems and solutions; to develop caring relationships among students (within and across grade levels), among staff, between students and staff, and between staff and families. To become more healthy, more happy, more motivated and more attentive;

Liquid exploration skills: observation, description, comparison, classification, and written and drawn conclusions

Making your own water world! Children reproduce different element from aquatic world using natural and syntetic materials;

Hall decoration

Glass painting

Flipper- our dolphin!

Our water world!

Bella- our turtle Preparing a house to her;

Bella- our turtle Buying and bringing it to our classroom;

Our aquatic friends! Taking care of the aquatic pets

Visiting an aquarium!

Fish Sweet water and salt water fish - poster

Snails’ competition

Method and procedures: observation, exploration, description, comparison and giving-back methods, analyzing, memory games, puzzles, play, using internet, discussion, in-class investigation, indoor and outdoor activities, field activities

The finalities of the project A visit to an aquarium The decoration of one of the school’s hall A CD with pictures, audio and video files

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.