Superclass – SK
Supporting cultural education in schools
I. Abstract
Superclass is a year long project to increase the cultural education of pupils in schools. It culminates in a competition for the best class.
II. Introduction
Superclass is an official project of Ministry of Education designed for the Music in primary and secondary schools, and aimed at children from 6-18 years old. Its objectives are:
· to raise the status of music education in the school curriculum,
· to combine music with information,
· to use technologies,
· to improve pupils’ social skills.
Every child in a class is involved in the project, and one of its aims is to teach children cooperation within a group focused on the achievement of a common goal.
III. The Example
The impetus for the practice was the threat of cutting Music from the primary school’s curriculum, the lack of children’s motivation towards school in general and problems with behaviour.
“Every child needs to experience the feeling of personal success, the power of team work, to feel the adventure of creating”.
In Superclass pupils learn to not only interpret but also create music and they combine it with other art forms.
Every child from each competing class must take part in the production – the whole class has to work together and no one is to be excluded. During the whole school-year children work on the project, creating and rehearsing a music-drama and a short movie. In May, they enter their work in one of the festivals which take place in seven theatres around Slovakia. At the same time a projection of their movies and national online voting for the winner of „the spectator prize“ go on.
Young people create music, write a script,
play musical instruments, sing, dance, paint the scenery, make costumes, shoot
movies – to make a collective production, like in the supertrieda
shortcuts
.
Live music and usage of musical
instruments including classroom percussion are required. Superclass brings
children a unique chance for presenting individual and collective performances in
a very attractive form which gives them the experience for other learning and
working contexts in and out of school. Superclass works with a simple form of a
competition between classes all around the country. Every class has the same
chance to present itself on the national level and to win and carry off the title
‘Superclass’.
IV. Commentary
Superclass motivates children to work and cooperate with teachers.
Filip, 13 years:
„We made up a funny play and a short movie about our class, so everyone would know what we think. It was cool. I’m actually looking forward to school now. “
Superclass is very motivating for kids and during the four years of its existence it has grow to national dimensions. The Superclass Project strengthens children’s sense of community, improves relationships, increases self-confidence and brings joy to schools.
The Project cooperates with all Slovak Music Universities (students help children and teachers participating in the project with creating of the play); with the directors of Slovak theatres (motto: “so every child would discover theatre”); with city magistrates (chief-magistrates give prizes to the winners); with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and with the European Committee. Among the judges of the project there are university lecturers, school/book authors, directors of theatres, artists, writers, and the director of the national radio. Considering the success of the project and positive feedback from neighbouring countries, it is possible, that Superclass could develop on an international level. The Ministry of education of the Slovak Republic has now included the “Superclass” project in the content of the curriculum for elementary schools.
V. Contact
Contact person:
