Comenius Cultural Jigsaw: 2011- 2013 Woodheys primary school

1. ComeniusComenius ‘Cultural Jigsaw’‘Cultural Jigsaw’ Project
2011 - 13
Barney Bear’s Baltic
Adventure!

2. Barney Bear looked at his atlas. “I loved going to
Turkey, but I think I’ve found the perfect place for a
brand new adventure”, he thought. “I shall ask my
friends, Mr Byrne, Mrs Bloor and Mrs Eyden to go
with me this time…”
Here they all
are at the
airport ...
… before
setting off
for …

3. … Liepaja in Latvia!
Barney looked at his map to see where it is…

4. On the first morning of their visit, Barney
and his friends arrived at our twin school…
It’s called Liepajas 8 Vidusskola

5. Barney wondered how he would climb up all the
steps. Fortunately, some kind children helped him
out!
However
will I get up
there?
Thanks,
girls!
Mr Byrne!

6. In the entrance hall, there was a welcoming
message on a large screen
Next to it was a Peace Pole
just like the one at
Woodheys!

7. They all went for a short tour of the school and
saw some classrooms…

8. Barney enjoyed looking at the pupils’ work
For example, a map showing the four major regions of
Latvia
… and some interesting facts
about solar energy…

9. He saw a Maths lesson …

10. … and some lovely artwork

11. He admired photos of all the top students on
the main corridor.

12. At the end of September, everyone in Latvia
celebrates Mikelis Day. In England, we call it
Michaelmas Day
In Latvia, a popular
tradition for Mikelis
Day is to carve
vegetables into
interesting shapes
and display them
beautifully.
For example, like this…

13. … or how about these?

14. Barney and his friends decided to have a
go!
They concentrated very hard!

15. … and they were all very pleased with the
results!

16. Looking at all these vegetables made Barney very
hungry! He had a nice meal and a drink at school

17. That afternoon, they all went for a walk
around Liepaja
There were lots of interesting old buildings …

18. … and wide streets with tramlines, but the trams
looked quite different from the ones in Manchester!

19. “Why are there musical notes on the pavements?”
asked Barney.

20. It’s because Liepaja is a very musical place. You
follow the notes to discover all the interesting
places around the town.
A special song tells the history of Liepaja. These
sculptures are based on the words of each verse.

21. It certainly was a musical place – Barney’s friends
went to a fantastic concert in a beautiful old
German church. And they posed in front of a Rock
Café!

22. The tour around the town included a craft centre.
Barney loved watching these ladies making
baskets and weaving textiles.

23. There was a display of Latvian national
costumes in the craft centre
What
beautiful
colours!

24. Mrs Bloor and Mrs Eyden took Barney to see the
market in Liepaja. He loved looking at all the food!

25. After all that walking, his legs were sore, so he had
a lovely snack in a café.

26. He had a bit of a surprise on the way out, though!
I wonder if
we’re distant
cousins?

27. Back at school, it was a very special day.
Children all over Latvia were performing a
special Olympics display at exactly the
same time. Barney was very impressed!

28. Then it was time for dancing! Barney and
his friends enjoyed watching and learning
Mr Byrne
certainly
seems to be
enjoying
himself!

29. Barney made friends with three of the
dancers!

30. Barney listened carefully while the teachers from
the four Comenius countries made plans for the
future of the project

31. They watched the short film that Luke, Scott and
Joshua had made about Woodheys!

32. Mrs Bloor, Mrs Eyden and Mr Byrne wrote down
lots of ideas for the next visit in March, 2013
That’s when
all the teachers
from the other
countries are
coming to visit
Woodheys!

33. At the weekend, everyone went on a trip to the
region of Kurzeme in western Latvia.
First they went to the
countryside …
… and then to
a fantastic beach
I do like to
be beside
the seaside!

34. They visited a lovely town called Alsunga where
there was a special Mikelis Day festival

35. A group of ladies dressed in national costume
sang folk songs
Wow –
just
look at
those
socks!

36. … and Barney made another friend!

37. Soon it was time for everyone to have their lunch!
A lady showed them how to make special carrot and potato pies…

38. Barney’s pie was delicious!

39. There was a special drink made from grain
and sour milk to go with the pie
… but I have to say
that this drink made
from honey tasted
much better!

40. Next, it was time to watch some folk dancing in the
town square

41. Afterwards, they visited the widest waterfall in
Europe and admired the beautiful autumn colours

42. The next day, there was a treat in store – a trip to
Lithuania!
Liepaja

43. They went to the seaside again, but just look at
that sky…. and that rain!!
Thank
goodness I
took my
umbrella!

44. They visited a town called Klaipeda and saw
some fascinating sights!

45. The day ended with some amazing Lithuanian
food!
My goodness -
these potato
dumplings are
bigger than me!

46. On the last day in Liepaja, everyone sang the
Comenius song specially composed by Mr Byrne.
What a proud moment for him - it sounded great!

47. There was even more enjoyment when Mr Byrne
taught a music lesson to one of the classes!

48. At last it was time to leave Liepaja and go to
Riga, the capital city, before flying home
Riga is also
a very
musical
place

49. As well as music, it is famous for its
wonderful architecture …

50. …its history …

51. … and its lovely food!

52. “ Here are our Comenius friends”, says
Barney. “They are looking forward to
meeting you all next March!”