eTwinning activities in the school year 2025./2026.

 https://os-sradica-metkovic.skole.hr/artistic-journey-to-green-future-etwinning-i-erasmus-projekt/

The two-year Erasmus + project Artistic Journey to Green Future was created and realized through this school year on the eTwinning platform with the same name, with the aim of recording the activities carried out with students and spreading the visibility of the work.

For this school year, the founder of the project is teacher Marijana Curić, who wrote the project and designed activities for eTwinning according to the project documentation, which was approved by the Croatian Agency for Mobility and European Union Programmes (AMPEU) on 14.10.2025. under the number ID: 170739 and can be found on the platform   HERE . You can see the project plan HERE .

In collaboration with the project co-founders from the Turkish primary school in Konya and other partner schools from Spain, Malta and North Macedonia, various and numerous activities were carried out.

As at the beginning of every project, during the preparatory period, introductory activities were carried out in October to collect parental consent, introduce students and teachers, familiarize them with the school, city, and state, and before the work began, a survey was conducted among students on their knowledge of the planned activities.

Here is a text in Croatian, in the past tense, suitable for a report on activities carried out:

AUTUMN (November)

Colors of nature: observing nature and artistic expression

The activity was conducted during November with the aim of introducing students to the changes in nature during autumn and encouraging their creative expression. Students observed their surroundings through photography and documented interesting scenes and activities related to nature. They photographed how people and students spend time outdoors, changes in the plant world, and the characteristic colors and features of the autumn landscape. You can see the works HERE

As part of creative and digital activities, students used the digital tool Kleki to create drawings inspired by the season. Through digital creativity, they depicted autumn motifs, colors, and natural changes that they noticed during their observations. The above activities were carried out with their students by teachers: Marijana Curić, Ante Leko, and rehabilitation educator Jelena Šalinović. You can see the works HERE .

Students of 6th and 6th grade, with biology teacher Vesna Pavlović, researched and discussed the causes and consequences of climate change and their impact on everyday life. During the LTT activity in Skopje, North Macedonia, each partner country presented the situation in its own country, which allowed students to compare different climate challenges and consequences at the European level. Teacher Marijana Curić presented the Green Classroom - an activity carried out in a classroom with 2nd grade at the Neretva estuary LTT SKOPJE

During December - Implementation of green practices

During the project, students participated in various activities aimed at developing sustainable habits and a responsible attitude towards the environment.

Through recycling and upcycling activities, they learned how to give new value to waste materials by making useful and decorative objects. Special attention was paid to creating a pleasant and environmentally conscious school environment, with students actively participating in decorating the space and promoting sustainable habits in everyday life. You can see more HERE

January – Observation and research of changes in nature

During January, students observed and investigated the changes in nature characteristic of the winter period. In small groups, under the guidance of their teachers, they photographed nature and the school environment and recorded interesting details and changes they noticed. After the observations, the teachers selected three photographs from each class that best depicted the characteristics of winter.

WINTER – NATURE PHOTOGRAPHS        Teacher Video Conference in January

After the class selection of photos, a competition for the best photo was held among the partner schools according to the criteria developed by the Selcuk University of Arts in Konya.

As part of the activities Colors of Nature and Rhythm of Nature (winter) , students created drawings and paintings based on observations of the winter landscape, developing their observational and artistic expression skills. They also expressed winter motifs and impressions of nature through singing, movement and musical activities, connecting nature, art and music in a creative way.  COLORS OF NATURE AND RHYTHM OF NATURE

February – Monitoring weather changes and animation of weather phenomena

Over the course of two weeks, students monitored the weather and recorded temperature, cloud cover, precipitation and other weather phenomena in the Nature Calendar. Based on the collected data, they created simple animations of weather phenomena using The Wick Editor . After completing the activity, they compared their observations and results with students from partner countries and noted similarities and differences in weather conditions. The Wick Editor- animation

Safer Internet Day

Video conference with students

March – Sounds of Nature

During March, students recorded and collected various sounds from nature, such as birdsong, rain, wind and footsteps. They published the collected sound recordings on a shared Padlet, creating a digital collection of nature sounds. Through this activity, they developed their skills in observing, listening and experiencing nature and became aware of the wealth of sounds that surround them. The final result was a shared digital collection of sounds that connected the project participants and their natural environments.  Sounds of Nature

April - Sustainable transportation and observing changes in nature

Students explored sustainable modes of transportation, with a particular focus on walking, cycling, and public transportation. During the activity, they kept a “green diary” and marked on a digital map the locations they visited and explored.

The activities were carried out in Ploče, at the Baćina Lakes, at the Neretva Estuary and in the immediate vicinity of the school. The students observed changes in nature, photographed plants and animals, and used digital tools to research and determine the names of plant species. They also collected plant specimens to create herbaria, which allowed them to learn more about the biodiversity of their homeland.

They recorded their observations through photographs, drawings and short descriptions, and shared and discussed their conclusions in small groups using the buzz group method. Through these activities, they developed research skills, digital competences, awareness of the importance of nature conservation, and a responsible attitude towards the environment and a sustainable lifestyle.  PADLET ACTIVITIES

At the end of April, from April 27th to May 1st, we hosted LTT Croatia, where during a five-day teacher training, the described activities were also carried out with 2nd grade students at the mouth of the Neretva River through the Green Classroom (Marijana Curić).

Our household was extremely successful, in a very positive atmosphere. More – HERE .

May – The rhythm of nature through music and recycling

During May, students made simple musical instruments from recycled and reused materials. Through creative work, they learned about the possibilities of reusing waste and developed awareness of the importance of recycling and environmental protection.

Using made-up instruments, students created rhythms inspired by nature and expressed their experiences and feelings related to the natural environment through music and movement. The activities connected art, music and sustainable development, encouraging creativity, collaboration and active participation of students.

The final result of the activity was a collaborative video in Canva that documented the process of instrument making, musical performance, and students' creative expression. HERE

June - Nature Festival for the youngest

Each partner school organized a Nature Festival for the youngest at the beginning of June, the aim of which was to motivate students to spend time in nature, learn in nature, and live in harmony with nature. The Stjepan Radić Elementary School Festival was held in the school garden on June 3, 2026 from 11:15 to 12:30. Partner schools were able to follow the festival via Google Meet to ensure visibility, sharing of practices, and cooperation between partner schools. The Nature Festival is a joint product of the project. Student works created during our festival were exhibited at the City Cultural Center on the occasion of School Day on June 5, 2026. NATURE FESTIVAL FOR THE YOUNGEST

The project activities have been successfully implemented, and now the evaluation of the work remains, which is ongoing.

The students gained new experiences that permanently enriched them and broadened their horizons.

Written by: teacher Marijana Curić, project coordinator

NATURE LITTLE ONES FESTIVAL IN CROATIA

 https://os-sradica-metkovic.skole.hr/nature-little-ones-festival/

On June 3, 2026, the Stjepan Radić Elementary School garden hosted the Nature Festival for the youngest, which was planned as one of the final joint-inter-partner events of the Erasmus + project Artistic Journey to Green Future. The festival was open to students, parents and the wider local community and promoted environmental awareness, sustainable development and active participation of children in environmental protection through various workshops and interactive activities.

Festival goals

The festival had several important goals:

• develop participants' sensitivity towards nature and the environment and encourage a deeper understanding of contemporary ecological challenges
• promote the exchange of good practice examples and environmentally responsible habits among students and partner countries involved in the project
• empower the local community to participate more actively in environmental protection
• encourage children to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle habits
• develop creativity, collaboration and responsibility through practical workshops and experiential learning

Workshops and leaders

During the festival, visitors could participate in several thematic stations: illustrating, recycling, upcycling, and an art station.

Kata Jelačić - Workshop "Wool Angels"

Students in 4th grade C made angels out of wool and other available materials. Through the workshop, they developed creative skills and learned how simple materials can gain new value through handicrafts and artistic expression.

Sandra Šutalo - Magnets with native motifs

4th grade students, led by their teacher, participated in a creative workshop on making magnets from scrap wood. They painted wooden pieces with motifs characteristic of their homeland, combining artistic expression with the principles of sustainability and material reuse. In this way, they demonstrated how waste materials can be transformed into unique and valuable souvenirs that promote local heritage and care for the environment.

Ivana Čarapina - Blackout Poetry - hidden words for a greener world

6th and 6th graders participated in a creative workshop designed by the school librarian. Blackout Poetry is an interesting combination of literature, fine arts, and creative expression. Starting from pre-prepared texts in English, students found or highlighted words that, when read in order, revealed strong environmental messages such as Nature needs our care, Clean water is life, Plant trees, grow hope. After discovering the message, they turned the rest of the text into a work of art using the blackout and illustration technique. Special attention was paid to motifs from nature. Around the selected words, drawings of trees, flowers, rivers, forests, animals, and other natural beauties that surround us every day and remind us of the importance of preserving them were created. The workshop showed students how even an ordinary page of text can create a unique work of art, and how a few carefully chosen words can convey a strong message about responsibility towards the environment. The resulting works testify to the creativity of our students, but also to their awareness that small changes and small steps can contribute to creating a more beautiful and greener world.

Vesna Pavlović - From jar to decoration

Students in grades 6 and 7 made decorative objects using jars and other materials that they gave a new purpose to. By combining shells, ropes, and various decorative elements, they created original works, developing creativity and awareness of the possibilities of reusing objects in everyday life.

Anka Milinković - Colorful threads of creativity

Teacher Anka and her students presented the works created during the knitting workshops. The students knitted garments from wool of different colors and learned the basics of this traditional craft. Visitors had the opportunity to see their previous works, among which scarves, hats, and other knitted items stood out. The workshop encouraged patience, precision, creativity, and the development of practical skills.

Ante Leko - Colorful baskets for a more beautiful playground

Under the guidance of art teacher Ante Leko, students painted waste bins located on the school playground, a space where they spend time every day during recess. Through art design and the creation of motifs related to nature and environmental conservation, students gave ordinary objects a new, more attractive look. The activity contributed to the beautification of the school space and further raised awareness of the importance of proper waste disposal and caring for the environment.

Zvonimir Mandić and the Impact Association - Recycling in Action

In collaboration with the Impact Association, teacher Mandić and his students participated in an educational workshop during which students had the opportunity to learn about the plastic recycling process. Members of the association presented machines for grinding plastic waste and devices that make new usable items from recycled plastic. Through a practical demonstration, students saw firsthand how plastic waste can become a valuable resource and learned more about the importance of recycling and responsible waste management.

Marijana Curić - Nature through the eyes of children

2nd grade students participated in an outdoor art workshop during which they used acrylic paints to paint canvases inspired by nature. The workshop was held in the school garden, where benches were arranged in a U-shape, creating a pleasant and stimulating space for creativity.

Observing the natural environment and relying on their own imagination, the students independently chose motifs and depicted their vision of nature on canvas. The resulting works demonstrated the richness of children's creativity, the diversity of their experiences of nature, and their ability to express feelings through art.

Feedback and sustainability

As part of the festival, a book of impressions was set up called "My Message to the World" , in which visitors wrote their impressions, suggestions and messages about the importance of nature conservation. The collected messages will be used to evaluate the project and plan future activities.

In order to ensure the sustainability of the project, it is planned that the festival will continue to be held in the coming period and continue to connect the school, students and the local community through activities focused on environmental protection.

International connection and monitoring of the festival

Teacher and project coordinator, Marijana Curić, organized an online meeting via Google Meet during which partner schools had the opportunity to follow the activities of the Nature Little Ones Festival in real time. This way, students and teachers from partner countries could learn about the workshops conducted and participate in a joint project event.

During the festival, she conducted interviews with teachers and students who presented their activities. Participants explained the process of creating the works, spoke about the materials and techniques used, and shared their impressions and experiences gained from participating in the festival. In this way, the course of the activities was recorded, and the partners were able to better familiarize themselves with the school's work and the results of the project.

Google Meet- partners could see and follow activities

Documentation and promotion of the nature festival

The school principal, Tomislav Tomić, was in charge of photographing and filming the festival activities and creating video materials. He also prepared and published content on the school's Instagram page, contributing to the visibility of the festival and promoting the work of students, teachers and partners involved in the project. Some photos were taken from the Metković.hr portal

Part of the activity is financed from EU funds.

Written by; teacher Marijana Curić, event coordinator

The sea is not a barrel

 https://os-sradica-metkovic.skole.hr/more-nije-bacva-za-otpad/

Activities of the ERASMUS + project Artistic Journey to Green Future 

As part of the ERASMUS + project Artistic Journey to a Green Future,  the Stjepan Radić Elementary School in Metković was hosted by LTT Croatia from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The 6th grade students, together with the nature teacher Vesna Pavlović, presented their activities related to the topic The Sea is Not a Waste Bin to the participants of the lesson from partner schools and institutions.

In the introductory part of the lesson, a brainstorming session was held on the topic: The Sea, where students presented concepts and thoughts related to the importance and beauty of the sea, biodiversity and the benefits of the sea. After that, a presentation was shown: The Sea is not a waste bin. This introductory part encouraged all participants to actively participate and was an excellent introduction, after which the students were divided into 4 groups, solving thematic worksheets related to marine protection, microplastics, recycling and preserving the sea from pollution.

The educational panel with a presentation of the decomposition time of waste in the sea attracted the special attention of all participants. It displayed data on the decomposition time of glass, plastic, aluminum cans, plastic bags, wood, Styrofoam and other materials. By comparing the time required for the decomposition of individual types of waste, the students became aware of the long-term consequences of irresponsibly discarded waste on the marine environment, and how important sorting and recycling are.   

Special emphasis was placed on the harmful effects of waste on marine organisms. Plastic waste and microplastics endanger fish, sea turtles, dolphins, birds and other animals that often mistake waste for food or get entangled in it. By solving the worksheet, the students became aware of the consequences that can be injuries, suffocation, starvation and death of animals. They noticed how small plastic particles enter the food chain, which not only endangers marine life but also human health, which is an increasingly important problem today.

The workshop enabled students to learn through exploration, collaboration, and creative expression. The students worked together to create an educational display with photographs, drawings, ecological messages, and illustrations of the marine world, developing artistic expression and aesthetic sensitivity.  

The students' work was followed with great interest by Erasmus + project participants from Turkey, Spain, Malta and North Macedonia, and the joint discussion encouraged the exchange of ideas and examples of good practice in environmental protection. 

The students' creative work was presented with unique bookmarks made from pressed flowers with motifs of the natural beauties of Croatia. The bookmarks were presented by the students to the participants of the Erasmus + project, which they enthusiastically accepted as a symbol of friendship, cooperation and shared concern for environmental preservation.

This workshop showed that international cooperation, exchange of ideas and joint activities can encourage young people to behave responsibly towards the environment. Students gained new knowledge, developed teamwork and in this way successfully connected ecology, art, cultural heritage and international cooperation.

Written by: nature and biology teacher Vesna Pavlović

LTT CROATIA

 https://os-sradica-metkovic.skole.hr/erasmus-learning-teaching-and-training-ltt/

We planted an olive in the school garden

The Erasmus + Learning, Teaching, Training (LTT) project Artistic Journey to Green Future took place at the Stjepan Radić Elementary School in Metković from April 27th to May 1st, 2026. We welcomed teachers and educators in a cheerful, joyful atmosphere, which was contributed to by our student-members of the mandolin orchestra, students who danced traditional dances and performed games, and other students and teachers. 

In the school hall, we started our LTT program by presenting the agenda, followed by a brief introduction of the participants through the activity “One Sound – One Green Habit”. Each teacher introduced themselves by name and school and shared one sound of nature that they particularly like, with a brief explanation of why that sound is important to them. After that, the participants also listed one sustainable habit that they practice in their daily lives. The activity contributed to a pleasant atmosphere, encouraged mutual acquaintance, and immediately focused the participants on the main themes of the project – the connection between nature, personal experience of the environment, and a sustainable lifestyle.

Teachers together in the staffroom- „One Sound – One Green Habit“

We analyzed the work and dissemination of activities on the project website so far. We also went for a walk around our school and took a peek into the classrooms.

After these activities, the teachers listened to lessons prepared by librarian Ivana Čarapina and pedagogue Nikolina Vugdelija, who delighted the visitors with their creativity.       

Coordinators of the project and the principal, Tomislav Tomić, planted an olive tree in the school garden for world peace and as a symbolic memory of our first Erasmus+ project. Prayers and blessings were offered by Fr. Denis Šimunović. The teachers really enjoyed this activity.

Under the guidance of Professor Suzana Antonini, the teachers listened to the city of Metković and its history. They visited the Metković Natural History Museum – presented using information panels, three-dimensional displays of habitats, stuffed animals in drawers and display cases, and multimedia audiovisual displays.

The working day ended with a reception at the Metković City Hall. On behalf of the Mayor of Metković, and by his authority, the reception was held by the Director of the Metković Tourist Board, Magdalena Medar Ujdur, to whom we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the warm welcome, hospitality, and support 

The second day of the LTT program began with bird watching through telescopes and binoculars, listening to the sounds of nature. Ecologist Iva Rajković Alendar taught us about the birds that live in the protected nature area at the Neretva estuary, their appearance and vocalizations, for international cooperation.

After that, also at the mouth of the Neretva River, there was a Green Classroom lesson with students of the 2nd grade, held by teacher Marijana Curić. The students were divided into five teams - they explored the nature around them according to the tasks, in cooperation with their parents, after which they presented their work to their teachers and parents. They happily explored and collaborated on the sandy beach.

Green Classroom at the mouth of Neretva

Upon returning to the school hall, professors from Selcuk University in Konya, Turkey, in collaboration with a team from the Spanish primary school CEIP Mata Linares, taught us about the possibilities of using podcasts in teaching. The Spanish team linked the sounds of music and other sounds with the impact on emotions and their expression. The presentation of the teams' results showed that the same sounds do not affect everyone in the same way and have different effects.

After the educational part in the assembly hall, the teachers attended classes with teachers: Kate Jelačić, Tatjana Juračić Hazirović and Vesna Pavlović, who prepared teaching units for them in accordance with the project theme.

The day ended successfully in a positive atmosphere at a joint lunch.

The third day of mobility began with a presentation on working with a digital album, given by a university professor from Selçuk University, Salih Saglam, Konya, Turkey, after which teachers from North Macedonia representing the “Nikola Kljusev” Foundation presented the possibilities of promoting the digital album in order to increase its visibility as much as possible. After that, visits were organized to the classes of English teacher Martina Tomić, educator of the Special Department for Students with Disabilities Jelena Šalinović, and art teacher Ante Leko.
The teachers followed the students’ work with interest and were particularly impressed by the children with disabilities in the Special Group.

The mobility program continued at the Archaeological Museum of Narona, where the museum's senior curator Konstanta Bukovac held a workshop on Latin epigraphy, through which the teachers were introduced to the ancient way of writing using papyrus and ink. The aim of this workshop was to introduce the participants to the basics of Latin epigraphy, inscriptions on various solid materials and their significance for researching the Roman period. In the practical part of the workshop, the participants, using a Roman stylus and ink, copied onto papyrus an inscription found in Vid near Metković, ancient Narona, in Roman capitals and cursive script.

The day ended with a boat ride along the Norin River from Vid to Momić, accompanied by singing, the sounds of the accordion, and a shared lunch at the Lopoč restaurant.

The fourth day, Thursday 30.4.2026, began with a presentation of the Nature Littles Festival by the Turkish team from Konya Primary School. Presenter Sabrye Kaya presented the ways, possibilities and places of activities where, when, and how the festival could be organized. The teachers agreed that it would be held in June at different times and that the other participants, together with the students, would be observers in the online-organized sections.

After a short break, the teachers took organized transportation to Dubrovnik, where they had an arranged workshop on plastic recycling and sunglasses making – they were able to see the entire production process in a small factory called Maritimo Recycling. The workshop was fully in line with the theme and was very interesting to all participants.

At the end of the program in the Old Town, after a joint lunch at the restaurant "Bura", the teachers attended a reception at the County Center in Dubrovnik. There, they were welcomed by the Head of the Administrative Department for County Prefect and County Assembly Affairs, Žaklina Marević, to whom we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the warm welcome, hospitality, and support for international cooperation.

The Society of Friends of the Antiquities of the City of Dubrovnik gifted teachers and educators of this Erasmus+ project a free visit to the Dubrovnik city walls, which allowed them to truly experience the beauty of this city.

In the evening, the teachers returned to Metković and spent another beautiful day together and learning.

On the 5th day, Friday, May 1, 2026, although it is Labor Day, with a slightly shorter agenda than the other days, the teachers met to get acquainted with the evaluation of all activities, listen to the sounds of nature that they collected during those days during their stay in Metković and during the organized activities at the Neretva estuary and the boat ride on the Norin River to the town of Momići. It was interesting to listen to the relaxing sounds that the teachers and educators were able to experience in their Neretva homeland.

At the end of the gathering, certificates of participation were awarded, beautiful photos, memories, and friendships were shared, and the teachers thanked each other for the gift of togetherness.

We shared a festive cake with the project logo and the Stjepan Radić Elementary School logo, which also marked the end of the Learning Teaching Training activities program in Croatia.

It was an unforgettable first experience of an organization of this kind, organized and coordinated by teacher Marijana Curić for the Stjepan Radić Elementary School.