Our trip to Izmir, Turkey 05 - 11.05.2019
''Dealing with gifted education" Third meeting in Izmir - Turkey 5 - 11.05.2019
Sunday 05.05.2019
The third Erasmus + meeting " Dealing with gifted education " began late in the evening, one day later than the rest of the participants. We stayed in a cosy hotel near the Aegean coast.
Monday 06.05.2019
The meeting started early in the morning when all of us, the participants, were welcomed by our hosts.The first work meeting began with a warm welcome from the director and staff of the American College of Izmir.
The meeting started with the official opening of the school week and the presentation of the group to the students of the college. Impressive and very emotional was the opening of the school week, bringing in the flags accompanied by the sounds of the school anthem sang by all students.
After the official opening we had a look around the college. We were very impressed by the necessary equipment and the opportunities for teachers' work students' scientific and practical development. The history ACI was very interesting for us. It was founded in 1876 as a school for children. Especially exciting was that the history was presented to us by school's headmaster who is a graduate of this very school. The extra-curricular activities, counting 90, were presented to us. ACI Students School Board introduced their organization, activity and way of work to us. Impressive were the oratorical skills, the fluency in English and the self-esteem of the students. They told us about the way they control the funds received from different clubs, the organization of bazaars and various events.
An unforgettable moment was also the Art Workshop in which we had to show our creativity and draw pictures on cotton bags.
At the end of the day we visited one of the most remarkable monuments - the clock tower, located in the middle of the square of the Konak.It was built by one of the largest population groups - the Levant, living mainly in Budja and Bornova. Its architect was Raymond Charles. It was completed for the 25th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of Abdul Hamid II in 1901. The story was presented to us by a wonderful young man, an alumnus of ACI. We also had a walk around the Kemeralti bazaar, the unique clock shop and workshop, whose owner is responsible for and takes care of the clock symbol
Tuesday 7.05.2019
The second day of our meeting started with a visit to the associated with ACI primary school. Their welcome immersed us in the musical folklore of a great nation. The dances were spectacular and all the dancers were very cute and in the same time impressive with their attitude towards what they did and its importance and significance. They presented their homeland and traditions in a wonderful way and impressed us a lot.
We were very impressed by the library, too. This place is interesting, cosy and comfortable. All children like it very much and go there with great pleasure. Twice a year students receive certificates about the number of books read.
Primary teachers from the school told us about their work with gifted children. They gave students projects based on the real life. We had the opportunity to visit classes in groups. We were very impressed by the teaching on an empirical level, a lot of practice and visualization
The day continued with a meeting with gifted students from the college at which the journalist club interviewed representatives from the Erasmus + project. The children told us a lot about their skill talents in different fields: chess, mathematics, music and more. They also shared their emotions, loneliness, lack of understanding between themselves and their families and acquaintances.
We learned about the work of a specialized institution for organizing and working with gifted children - BILSEM.
Wednesday 8.05.2019
On that day we watched the film"Whiplash". In it we saw a teacher who would not stop at anything to get the most out of the potential of his students, with relentless instructions, pursuing perfection at any cost, even humanity. He was really cruel and showed no mercy towards the people he worked with. We also met Andrew, the student who exercises persistently, who wants to overtake himself and loses his humanity in his pursuit of success. After the discussion on the film, the participants presented their analysis.
The day continued with a presentation of individual training programs tailored to the skills and abilities of each child. After that we met with talented students who shared their stories and skills. The musical performance of the talented children was absolutely amazing.
The day finished with sightseeing in Alaçatı, a town on the Cesme Peninsula in Turkey, on the Aegean Sea. The town is famous for its beaches, old stone houses and wine-making traditions.
Thursday 9.05.2019
On the next day our
friendly hosts welcomed us in front of the hotel and took us by bus to another
dream - the mathematical settlement, situated in a picturesque area - a forest
on a hill. We saw a wonderful place where children, interested in maths, have
the opportunity to study in a nature-friendly place, in outdoor study rooms.
They are chosen after a competition in which they have to prove their
abilities. As a result they receive the possibility to expand their knowledge
and skills in the field of mathematical science.
Our next stop was in Shiringe. The settlement is a historical and architectural reserve. It impresses with the whitewashed white houses with old architecture, the narrow cobblestone streets and the bottles with local wine that one could buy everywhere.
The day ended with sightseeing in Efesus. We travelled back in time during a wonderful open air history lesson.
Friday 10.05.2019
The day started with presentations from famous Turkish scientists. One of them, a teacher and teacher-trainer talked about various teaching strategies for gifted children and problems connected with their identification. The lady - a psychologist and psychotherapist - talked about what people's expectations should be, about the psychological problems, early diagnosis, alternative measures and others in the context of the work with gifted children.
At the end of the day a report about the
previous meeting in Volos, Greece was made, and the forthcoming meeting in
Tallinn, Estonia was planned.
In the evening our hosts organised a wonderful evening full of laughter, national dances and new friendships.
Under the sunset over the Aegean Sea and after a lot of emotions, we separated again .
Saturday 16.02.2019
Thank you Izmir for the warm welcome, for all the unforgettable moments and for giving us hope that our dreams in the profession we have chosen are in the right direction and can be real, can come true.
