The Danish mobility from a Danish perspective

In the period from February the 2nd until February the 8th Trekløverskolen in Kjellerup,

Denmark hosted the first mobility in the Erasmus-project – Master. Metacognitive Thinking Activities and Strategies for Teaching and Educational Results.

Prior to the week a lot of different planning had taken place. The theme for this first mobility was to set Life Goals.

In Denmark, we were positive surprised by the fact that many students wanted to participate in the project. We held a parents and students meeting where we introduced the project. 

After that meeting we started putting host and students together. The students made their first contact, and before the arrival on the 2nd everyone had had their first contact.

Finally, after a lot of preparation and excitement it was the 2nd of February. The groups from the different countries arrived to Kjellerup at different times. The Spanish group and the Finnish group arrived nearly at the same time to the airport in Billund. They shared a bus from Billund to Kjellerup where they arrived at midday. The host families were present to greet the visitors and the students were accommodated. The teachers were taken to their hotel in Silkeborg which is around 20 kilometers from Kjellerup. The Greek delegation arrived at the station in Silkeborg later in the afternoon. They were also met by their host families that took them to Kjellerup. The Swedish group arrived to Kjellerup by bus, and they were also met by host families.

Many of the students had planned to meet in the evening at different locations in Kjellerup. 

Teachers met for a light meal in the evening at a restaurant.

Saturday the 3rd was the first working day in the project. The pupils and teachers met at school in the morning. After a small introduction to the project we had photo taken of the whole group. After the photo-session we were ready to start the work. Pupils were divided into different groups. All countries were represented in all groups.

Students introduced to the coming work

Teachers and coordinators working on the project took their starting perspective in material published by LEGO education group. The general idea here is that you, to put visions to your ideas, built with LEGO bricks and afterwards talk to other members of your group and explain to them what your idea is. Our experience with this method of working is that it is useful when you work with young people for whom English is not their first language. Everyone has the same starting point. It is a very good ice breaker for young learners.

The first day ended with an optional swim in the schools swimming hall. 

Sunday the 4th was a family day. Pupils did different activities with their host families.

Staff was on a trip together to Aarhus where we visited The Old City.

Monday the 5th the students were back in school and they continued their work with the theme “Life Goals”

In the afternoon staff held a planning meeting where work leading to the next mobility was organized. In the evening staff held a welcome dinner hosted by Trekløverskolen. It took place in a local restaurant called Michael D. The headmaster from Trekløverskolen, Mr. Evan Thorhauge took part in the welcome dinner.

On Tuesday the 6th, the students met in school and after a few hours work the whole group went on a day trip to Silkeborg. First, they visited Museum Jorn, which is a local art museum. On the guided tour, the students had they were told about how Mr. Jorn had worked during his career. Later the students went to Aqua Nature Park. It is a museum that is build right in the middle of some of the beautiful nature that surrounds our area. It is a fresh water museum.

And when you are in a good company time runs so fast, and Wednesday came much earlier than we could have expected. Wednesday was last day at school. Students worked very eagerly to finish their projects. The project ended with the students producing a small video.

The video was presented to the whole group in the school’s cinema in the evening. After the presentations, it was time to handing out of the diplomas that were given to all the participants. Then it was party time. Pizza, slush ice, popcorn, disco and all it takes to have a great party.

Thursday, most of the group left for home. Students and parents said goodbye to their guests.

We think that everyone agreed that it had been a good week. It had been exciting and challenging for the students. Some had missed home and for some it had been difficult to speak English all the time.

But all in all a good week – and we look forward to Spain.

The whole group with their national flags in the background