I – Towards the management of diversity in the classroom
I.1 – This handbook
I.2 – The DIVERSE project
I.3 – The current challenges
I.4 – Opening up the classroom
II – Drama in Education
II.1 – Introduction to the theory
II.2 – Description of the method
II.3 – Three lesson plans
II.4 – Some more tools
II.5 – Resources
III – Digital storytelling
III.1 – Introduction to theory
III.2 – Description of the method
III.3 – Three lesson plans
III.4 – Some more tools
III.5 – Resources
IV – Folktales
IV.1 – Introduction to theory
IV.2 – Description of the method
IV.3 – Two lesson plans
IV.4 – Some more tools
IV.5 – Resources
V – References
I.2 - The DIVERSE project
This handbook has been developed in the framework of the transnational project DIVERSE (“Promotion of democratic values and diversity in schools through Creative Drama and Fairy Tales”) which is co-funded in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.
The recent arrival of an increased number of immigrants, classes all over Europe are becoming increasingly diverse. This poses challenges for teachers normally used to teach homogenous classes, who have little training and/or support to deal with diversity in the classroom.
A key aspect to relationship building in diverse classrooms is the development of Intercultural competences and sensitivity. The DIVERSE project has specifically selected storytelling methods to help teachers and learners develop these competences through interaction and dialogue.
Through storytelling, teachers and learners can better understand the different cultures in the classroom, increase empathy, and feel that the languages and cultures of all learners are valued. This in turn will contribute to the improvement of the social inclusion of the children from refugee / migrant / minority backgrounds, the primary aim of the DIVERSE project.
The handbook describes the methods and provides tools and activities that could be organized in the classroom. You should feel free to adapt these to meet the needs of your classroom.
The project is being implemented by a transnational consortium consisting of 7 partners from 6 partner countries (Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Italy). The coordinator of the project is the Greek organisation Action Synergy. Responsible for the transfer of the Drama in Education method is InSite Drama from Hungary, responsible for the transfer of the Use of Fairy Tales in Education is the Centre for Higher Education in Theatre Studies from Greece and responsible for the transfer of the Digital Storytelling Method is the University of Girona from Spain. Two NGOs also participate in the project (HESED from Bulgaria and GEYC from Romania) as well as a secondary school (IIS Einaudi from Italy).