CEIP Mediterrani, Valencia

Computer science teacher Marija Samardžić is participating in job shadowing in Spain, specifically at CEIP Mediterrani - Primary school in Valencia, from May 20th to May 25th.

Day 1

CEIP MEDITERRANI is a public primary school located 9 km north of the city of Valencia. The school has around 250 students aged 3 to 12 years. At the school entrance, I was warmly greeted by one of the three main individuals who run this school, and she gave me a tour of the school premises.

The day was long because the teachers' schedule here is organized in a way that classes run from 9 to 11:30 (classes are divided into 45-minute periods, and there is no short break in between like we have, but they immediately move on to new activities). Only from 11:15 to 11:45 do the students have a break during which they have breakfast, and the teachers have a joint meeting. After that, classes continue from 11:45 to 13:45. Lunch is at 14:00. Classes resume from 15:00 to 16:30 (this is not after-school care).

Throughout the day, I observed many different classes (reading and writing, English, physical education, and nature studies). Teaching takes place in quite relaxed conditions, with students working at their own pace, so they are not always on the same tasks. It is not uncommon to have two teachers in the classroom.

Conclusion from the first day: Collaboration among the staff is excellent. They strive to implement "green" themes in practice. The day ended with a joint tour of the more modern part of Valencia.

Day 2

A well-known rap/hip-hop musician from Valencia visited the school in Meliana. He organized a workshop for 3rd-grade students on creating a rap song, emphasizing the importance of preserving Valencian culture and language. The musician methodically introduced the students to the creative process, resulting in a great performance that you can listen to at this link: https://drive.google.com/.../1MD0srmI2qe3y.../view...

In a brief presentation, I introduced the teachers and students to Croatia. The teacher continued the presentation using a smart board and the internet. Through this activity, students explored the modes of transportation connecting Valencia and Croatia, estimated the travel time to various cities in Croatia, and analyzed photographs of our country, which piqued their interest greatly.

In Meliana, we visited Palauet de Nolla, a villa that was the residence of Miguel Nolla, the founder of the tile factory. The villa, built in the 19th century, has a rich interior decorated with mosaic tiles produced in the nearby factory. The impressive interior design features details and patterns that showcase the artistic skills and creativity of that time.

Day 3

In the fourth-grade math class, I noticed a difference in the methods of multiplication and division compared to those used in our schools. Numeric grades are not common but do exist on a scale from 1 to 10, with 5 being a passing grade. Numeric grades are not emphasized to the students; instead, they primarily serve as feedback to the teacher about the students' performance. Students receive descriptive feedback and often participate in self-assessment. Each trimester, teachers write detailed reports on the students' performance and work, which are sent to the parents. There is no digital system for entering grades.

In the afternoon, we visited Albufera National Park in Valencia. The park is known for its beautiful lagoon, rich biodiversity, and stunning landscapes. We enjoyed a boat ride on the lagoon, observed various species of birds, and learned about the park's ecological significance. It was a relaxing and educational experience, providing a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the region.

Day 4

On Thursday, there were no classes due to a strike. Teachers across the Valencia region participated in the strike to prevent cuts in the education system being implemented by the regional government. Another reason for the strike is dissatisfaction with a law that will be applied in two years, concerning language. According to the government's decision, in areas where Valencian is spoken, families will choose the language of instruction. If they choose Spanish, at least 25% of subjects must be in Valencian and vice versa. English will occupy between 15% and 25% of the instruction.

Day 5

At the school, there is no separate subject for Computer Science; instead, computer skills are integrated across various subjects. Last school year, CEIP Mediterrani received laptops for students, which are stored in a mobile charging cart and can be transported from classroom to classroom (on the same floor). Although such integration, according to the teachers, does not happen often, I had the opportunity to see the use of technology during an English class in the fifth grade. The students typed the text they had written in English into a Word program and shared it with the teacher. This class was led by two teachers. Interestingly, one of these teachers is part of the school leadership and, besides administration, is also responsible for teaching classes.

On the last day, I thanked everyone, and they expressed their gratitude for the gifts from Zagreb, expressing hope for future collaboration and meetings.

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