Calling all Primary School Teachers!
European Movement Ireland is delighted to confirm that the Blue Star Programme will be running for its fourth year over the 2014/2015 school term and the registration process for interested primary schools across Ireland is now open!
As you may know, the aim of this programme is to foster better knowledge and understanding of the European Union and how it affects our lives amongst Irish primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. The Blue Star Programme introduces participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the EU, what it means and how it works. The goal of the Programme is to foster a strong sense of citizenship and leadership among participants that goes far beyond the school walls and into the wider community.
How does it work?
Teams of pupils of all ages, from primary schools all over Ireland, are challenged to get creative and think about Europe by carrying out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU. Each participating school is required to carry out projects and tasks, incorporating elements that include information about:
- The foundation and development of the European Union
- The cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe
- What the European Union does and how its work affects the lives of citizens
Above all, the programme is designed to be as curriculum friendly as possible for teachers so it can fit in with lesson plans already in place.
Once schools have registered to participate in the Programme, they are provided with a resource pack and resource materials (e.g. booklets, posters, pamphlets, wall charts, etc.) to offer tips on the types of projects the pupils can undertake.
A curriculum guideline has also been developed in cooperation with previous Blue Star Teachers which serves as a useful aide for teachers participating in the Programme for the first time.
The programme has gone from strength to strength since the pilot year in 2011/2012 and has resulted in over 200 schools being awarded their ‘EU flag and Blue Star certificates.’ The schools that completed the programme came from across Ireland, ranging from small, two teacher, rural schools with 30-40 pupils to large, urban schools with an enrolment of over 500 pupils.
Register before 31 October 2014
Registration form and more information can be found at http://www.europeanmovement.ie/blue-star.
Contacts:
Email at bluestar@europeanmovement.ie
Phone: (01) 662 5815