Modern Languages and Interdisciplinary Learning (Including ‘A Holiday to France’ ) 2009-2010

1. Modern Languages and Interdisciplinary Learning(Including ‘A Holiday to France’ )2009-2010 Mrs. Sharon McQuillan DHT Barnhill Primary School, Dundee

2. Barnhill Primary School • 400 children/2 stream school • 30/30 nursery • High attaining children • Needing to be challenged • Very supportive parents • Very well resourced • Creative with use of Tesco vouchers to support active innovative approaches to learning • When supplied with resources from authority – make real effort to incorporate them into learning and teaching in classrooms • Roughly 98% of children in P6/7 have internet access at home • We as a staff have to acknowledge this and use this to the children’s best advantage • Using GLOW since April 2007 • Including GLOW groups

3. DHT at Barnhill since August 2005 • Class teacher since 1985 • 3 year secondment as ICT Staff Tutor • Very keen interest in ICT and Education • MLPS trained in French • (But NOT skilled) however • Very keen to develop stimulating learning experiences for children in MFL • Supported by Chris Rolfe QIO with responsibility for MFL in Dundee City • More recently Barry Miller • Also supported by class teachers and two French parents

4. History • 2007-2008 asked to trial Draft Modern Languages Outcomes/ Experiences • Group of P7 children trialled an outcome at the second level • ‘I have worked with others using ICT where appropriate and can contribute successfully to a presentation in English supported by the use of the language I am learning on an aspect of life in the country where the language I am learning is spoken’. • This was further developed in 2008-2009 with a class of P7 children using a GLOW group.

5. 2008-2009 • Planning for CFE in Dundee was at early stages • Own plan for project was created • Context was ‘Au Café’ • Children learned about culture of French cafes both now and historically • They researched and recorded using a GLOW group as a VLE • They used technology such as web cams, video recorders and easi-speak microphones to develop their French conversations • They created presentations in groups to demonstrate what they had learned and shared these with their peers • They had fun!! • Barnhill won Focus on Achievement award fro innovation through a Curriculum for Excellence in October 2008 for this project

6. 2009-2010 Modern Languages and Interdisciplinary Learning • We want to build on success and develop it further • Promoting CfE principles • Challenge and enjoyment, breadth, progression, depth, personalisation and choice, coherence and relevance • Develop more Active Learning • Using technology • Peripherals – cameras, web cams, easi speak microphones • Free on-line, purchased and subscribed to resources • Using GLOW • Both GLOW GROUPS and also GLOW LEARN • Resources in National Modern Languages GLOW GROUP

7. All teachers given scope to develop new contexts for learning • Working with stage partners/SMT • Contexts which will promote active learning in classes • Underpinned by LTiD, (AifL) principles • Learning Intentions/success criteria • Self and peer assessment • Formative feedback • Co-operative learning

8. Children in P5-P7 will be taught about French language and culture, primarily in contextualised interdisciplinary projects • ‘Au Cafe ‘ in P7 • ‘A Holiday to France’ in P6 • Children will also be given opportunities in school and at home to learn French independently and using free on-line resources • P1-P4 may also, in interdisciplinary contexts be taught about French language and culture • International week planned for whole school wk/beg 22nd February 2010

9. A Holiday to France • Planning for project been done on planning sheets created by members of staff working together • Big Picture • Big Picture – ‘Holiday to France’ • Learners’ Entitlements to the fore • ‘experience a traditionally broad Scottish curriculum that develops skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, with a sustained focus on literacy and numeracy, that encourages an active, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle and that builds an appreciation of Scotland and its place in the world • benefit from learning and teaching that strikes a better balance between equipping them with the skills for passing exams and skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work’

10. Using LTS on-line tool • Planning and recording Experiences and Outcomes • Planning Active Learning Opportunities • Planning Active Learning Opportunities – ‘A Holiday to France’(2) • Including Assessment and Evaluation.

11. E-TWINNING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION • Link established with a school in Boigneville, France • Initial project agreed upon by both schools • GLOW GUEST ACCOUNT set up for teacher in France • Facilitate e-mail correspondence • Video-conferencing via GLOW MEET • Links also being made via French teacher working in Dundee this year to schools in Orleans (our twin city)

12. Real dialogue between French, Scottish children about ‘what they are learning’ • E.g. When planning holiday, asking questions via E-MAIL/GLOW MEET about • ‘Hotels which could be recommended’ • ‘Places of interest which could be visited’ • Costs • Times of opening, etc.

13. All of this can now easily be shared amongst practitioners both locally and nationally via the GLOW PORTAL

14. Is this the way ahead??? • Lack of MLPS trained teachers threatening future of Modern Languages in Primary Schools • (certainly in Dundee) • Can advanced software e.g Ed Pax , communication tools such as GLOW MEET, free on-line resources etc. be used by teachers who are not MLPS trained to teach primary school children successfully? Free on- line resources