In Experimenta-Humanístic we work using the centre of interest method (based in Decroly method), which organize the learning around a central theme, usually about self-knowledge and knowledge of the environment. 

Each unit of Experimenta-Humanístic is based in a specific theme, and we develop several activities in Catalan, Spanish and English around the main issue: reading comprehension, writing (in different textual typologies), speaking…  But we also work social, culture and values contents, and transversal competences (digital, and personal and social skills).

My GEP project for them is included in a unit called “La natura que ens ajuda”, based on the benefits of nature for health and wellness. In this unit, we study how nature can help us in different ways, and we learn to contemplate it and express our feelings artistically (making photographs, drawing, writing poems –haikus-…). So the original project “Please, Nature, can you help me with my exams?” is a part of all this work. The activities planned in English are linked to other activities in Catalan and Spanish, and we work around the contents using the three languages.

The main adaptations of the original project to confinement situation was:

• About the goals and the activities:

  • It was supposed to do the activity before an exam. As it is not possible any more, we changed the title and the driving question from “Please, Nature, can you help me with my exams?” to “Please Nature, can you help me with my studies?”

  • As we cannot put into practice the activities proposed, there’s no need to choose one of them, and the reflection is necessarily more theoretical.

• About the materials and resources: 

  • We need to adapt all of them to online work. So I created a website with all the materials.

  • I also recorded some tutorial videos to help the students understanding the activities (included on the website)

  • I adapted the materials (templates, scaffolding materials, rubrics…)  to the changes done.

• About teaching and teamwork:

  • We used several communication channels and strategies: email, WhatsApp group, Google Meet… We met all together twice a week during the project through google meet, and we solved doubts and got feedback using email and WhatsApp (text messages or even video calls).

  • We adapted the team group to a new situation, with a cooperative reading from home and offering the option to work in pairs.

  • And, overall, we all needed a lot of patience!