The most significant duty of a school is to prepare its students for life. In the digital age, where needs and goals change rapidly, schools and all elements that constitute them seek new and different techniques to achieve real learning and perform their duties best. As Darüşşifa Schools, we are working to fulfill our duty in the best way possible and provide high benefits to our students. We are moving forward with a new project we implemented last year: at the beginning of each academic year, all primary school levels collectively determine themes suitable for their levels. They integrate these themes into all lessons and conduct interdisciplinary studies. These activities culminate in an exhibition showcasing all the work.
This year, as 3rd graders, we chose the theme "STONE." Let's see if our activities related to this theme will also shed light on you. Firstly, why is our theme "STONE"? Because the Stone Sphere is the layer on which we sustain our existence. It feeds us, we grow on it, and we cover our memories with it. Our soil, the cover of our life source, the decoration of our plants, and the cover of our waters... Colored or colorless, rough or smooth, fragrant or odorless, shaped or shapeless, like all humans, stone is a beautiful and unique substance with its differences. How solid it is in forming our shelters, elegant in jewelry, lofty in the mountains, and a delicate dwarf in the sand! STONE.
We opened our theme by watching the "Stone Age" cartoon with our students. They learned where stones can used through animation. We asked them where they could use stones daily, and we received beneficial answers. Unprepared speeches are very effective in students' communication and self-confidence. Within the scope of the "STONE" theme, our students learned proverbs and idioms containing the word "STONE" in Turkish lessons and performed them in our drama lessons. Their verbal and social skills started to develop, and they improved in expressing themselves.
In our mathematics lessons, stones replaced fingers when performing operations. While making the Turkish flag, they used stones of different sizes, adjusted their measurements to fit in a rectangular frame, and used measurements when creating the crescent and star. They activated their visual and spatial intelligence, taking the first steps in finding solutions.
In our Social Studies lessons, as a gift for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, our students identified and researched 100 Turkish scientists, artists, educators, industrialists, and athletes who contributed to the Republic. They recorded videos for our "Milestone Stones" activity. Through this work, organized as a short film, they are inspired by people who shaped their lives. They saw examples in planning their futures. Their memorization, emphasis, and tonalities in speech improved with these performances. They gave prepared speeches and learned to use time carefully.
In our Science lessons, we enriched our "STONE" theme by visiting Tulumtaş Cave, the world's first living cave within our district's borders, relating it to the layers of our Earth. They again provided the best examples of the fundamental properties of materials with stones. Another trip where we had the opportunity to see the magnificent colors and varieties of stones was to the MTA Natural History Museum. Our students established a connection from lightning stones to meteorites, from natural crystals to minerals.
They played stone-based games in physical education and game lessons: nine stones, mangala, five stones, and dalya, to name a few. In chess lessons, they already had the most beautiful version of stones in their minds.
In Visual Arts lessons, they painted pebbles, and the flag they made as 3rd graders for Republic Day became our most beautiful decoration.
The primary purpose of all these studies is to show that, regardless of the subject, knowledge is always part of life and can processed in every field; to replace the question "How will this knowledge benefit us?" with the question "Where can I use this knowledge?".
The spiral progression of achievements in our curriculum in the education system, giving them concrete activities, updating them by associating them with daily life, and integrating them with interdisciplinary connections, will make children see schools as small rehearsal areas for life. With the schools they include as small rehearsal areas for life, students will adapt to the changing world as soon as possible and, because they are socially ready, will contribute more quickly to their cognitive levels, reach their goals more consciously, and in a shorter time.
I am the head of the grade teachers in Private DarüşşifaEymirschool. I am a specialized class teacher and have authored a Turkish book on behalf of the government. Besides, I have been a part of the committee that reviews Turkish textbooks for students on the government's behalf. I have publications in the form of supplementary books covering Turkish sections from first grade to eighth grade.
In addition to my role as a class teacher, I can teach courses in Media Literacy and serve as a Computer Formatting Teacher. I actively integrate Web 2.0 tools into my lesson activities and projects. I prepare digital lesson materials for my students, teaching them applications to create their level-appropriate materials. I engage in eTwinning projects and actively participate in international events such as Trash Hack, Global Eco Training Centre, TAG Climate, CodeWeek, Hour of Code, and Out Door Classroom Day with my students. I have received eTwinning National Quality Labels and a European Quality Label, and my school has been awarded the European Quality Award, making it an eTwinning School. I am actively involved in initiatives based on solving global problems. I am a UNICEF volunteer and a TEMA trainer. Moreover, I participate in various activities, education, and social responsibility projects that will make me more effective and different because my students are my little models.