This workshop is intended for primary and middle school students who can carry it out independently and on different occasions, such as themed days (Earth Day, Tolerance Day, etc.). The first two stages are suitable for the first and second three-year period of primary school; however, in its entirety it’s only really suitable for the final three-year period of primary school and middle school itself.
The goal of this workshop is to create a LEAF of the classroom. This activity contributes to a culture of tolerance and acceptance and at the same time brings awareness to the deforestation issue in Madagascar. Student creations (class leaves) will greatly help us in the promotion of our content, projects and in our search of new ways and means to support REFORESTATION that is being carried out by the students of Madagascar. This workshop will be a contribution to global education.
Stage I.
Students draw a tree LEAF on a sheet of paper of any size and use an artistic technique of their own choice. Afterwards they cut the LEAF into small pieces, which are then counted and spread among the students, so that everyone gets to colour the same number of pieces. That’s how the LEAF of the classroom is created. The idea is that each individual student colours the same number of leaves and at the same time also represents these leaves oneself. During the creative process, the students are encouraged by their teachers to think about the meaning of respect, and after it is finished answer the following questions:
Stage II.
- WHAT IS RESPECT?
- What do we respect the most in others?
- What do we respect the least in others?
(answers should be concise, approx. 20 words max.)
Stage III.
(Can be carried through independently of the first two stages as it can be a part of another subject lesson – Geography, Ecology, Ethics…)
Students answer the questions (which can be found on our website):
- Why is MADAGASCAR known as the RED ISLAND, or, why do its rivers ‘bleed’?
- Which areas in Madagascar are covered by forest and what is the proportion of the island’s area covered by forest in %? Compared to Slovenia, how much forest area does Slovenia have?
- What is the surface area of Madagascar and how many residents does it have? What is the resident per capita of Madagascar? Compare it with Slovenia: What is the surface area of Slovenia, how many residents does it have and what is the resident per capita of Slovenia?
- Find at least 3 causes of the decimated forests on Madagascar.
The end products of the first two stages will be published on our website. We would also wish to use the artworks from the 1st stage for promotional activities of our organisation.
We would like to ask you to scan the LEAVES OF THE CLASSROOM and the answers to the questions about respect from the first two stages, and send them to us.
You can combine the workshop with our storytelling event TALES OF MADAGASCAR, which are presented by Malala. This way you can improve the content value of the workshop, ‘The tree is green, again and again’.
Underneath you can read what the children and the students that have already participated in the workshop think about respect.