In the 2nd Primary School of Vrontados, the 5th and 6th class gets currently educated about the water – that means the pupils are taught about the water cycle, its essential for all living things and the nature, as well as its right usage. In scope of this program, both year groups went by bus to the mountain side near by Kambos in the South-East of Chios.
Also we volunteers joined them for supporting the teachers, taking photos and expanding our own knowledge.
In the morning, we arrived at a traditional tavern. Its cozy atmosphere welcomed us and ensured a comfortable stay. The operators of this inn provide the children with fresh self-made orange marmalade and cookies and also we volunteers and the teachers got the opportunity to try this specialty of the house.
Well fed, the students got divided into two seminar groups that were managed by two women who convinced with expertise and children-friendly teaching methods. Thus for example, an informing movie about the water cycle was shown which also explained the impact of water on plant growth. Thereafter, a question-respond-game followed and the students of both classes had to prove their comprehension of the content of the movie.
The next lecture enabled the children to understand the extensive necessity of water in all departments of live – including nature, drinking water, cleaning water and industrial productions. After showing its importance, the pupils got aware of environmental protection and how to avoid water pollution through pictures that expressed consequences of water contamination. It was especially effectively that the 5th- and 6th graders had to find right ways of water treatment on their own.
For demonstrating that water is basic for the preservation and rhythm of nature, we went deeper in the mountains and visited the beautiful area, there. A river with crystal-clear water with small water gradients impressed the pupils and us. Many pictures were taken. On the basis of some mosses that we found near by, the seminar leaders explained the influence of the clean river water on the shiny-green color of these plants. Moreover, the photosynthesis was shortly mentioned and how this process is affected by rain and other kinds of liquids.
To summarize the day, it was a really interesting excursion which complemented the water-topic related theory of the lessons at school with an exciting, informing and entertaining practical experience.
To see all pictures go into our gallery!
