GRAND TOUR OF ITALY SUBJECT & COMPETENCY LINKS EF S EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

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1 GRAND TOUR OF ITALY SUBJECT & COMPETENCY LINKS EF S EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY Our educational philosophy at EF is simple: the best way to help students gain new perspectives and build skills for the future is through experiential learning. Every EF tour is designed to increase awareness of global perspectives, foster appreciation for different cultures, and see curriculum come to life. We believe that students who participate in educational travel develop the necessary 21st-century skills to become effective communicators, reflective thinkers, lifelong learners, and responsible global citizens. Furthermore, educational travel allows students to develop leadership skills and successfully navigate new experiences with confidence. The following information highlights some of the ways in which this educational tour can develop competencies in your students and bring lessons from your classroom to life.

2 COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT We at EF know that the primary goal of education is to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, and characteristics that will lead them to become personally successful, economically productive, and actively engaged citizens and we want to support you in this endeavor. In addition to proficiency in essential areas such as literacy, mathematics, and humanities, these 21st century competencies can be developed on any EF tour to help students excel towards higher standards. 1 COMPETENCY AREA ON-TOUR COMPTENCY CONNECTIONS Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Critical thinking in the 21st century requires students to solve problems, manage projects, and make effective decisions through a variety of digital tools and resources. Travelling presents students with new situations that push them to problem solve and strategize (i.e. deciding how to spend their free time, how to fundraise, and how to budget their money on lunches and souvenirs). Creativity Creativity is needed for social entrepreneurialism, considering novel ideas, and leadership for action. Students will develop their creativity as they discover foreign experiences which revitalizes the mind and increases cognitive flexibility. Communication Communication in a 21st century context requires students to communicate effectively: orally, in writing, with a variety of digital tools, and through listening skills. Students practice effective oral communication & listening skills while on tour as they interact with peers, their tour director, locals, guides, etc. Students will learn how communication practices are contextual, and practice communicating in a new cultural setting. Students have the opportunity to foster their digital communication skills pre-tour through weshare. Collaboration Collaboration in the 21st century requires students to work in teams, learn from and contribute to the learning of others, use social networking skills, and demonstrate empathy in working with diverse others. 2 Students will learn from and contribute to the learning of others as they ask questions and participate in discussions (i.e. interacting with locals, hone social networking skills, and gain empathy in working with diverse others). Character Education Research suggests that demonstrating non-academic, intrapersonal competencies are key to overcoming challenges and achieving long-term success; i.e. perseverance, honesty, responsibility, a growth mindset, self-confidence, and empathy. Students will develop self-confidence as they are placed outside of their comfort zone making decisions while away from their families, and trying new foods and activities. Students will develop empathy for diverse others, and develop valuable life skills. Citizenship Citizenship can be described as global knowledge, sensitivity to and respect for other cultures, and active involvement in addressing issues of human and environmental sustainability. 3 Students will develop global knowledge, a deeper sense of self, and sensitivity to and respect for others as they are immersed in their host country s culture. 1. See Ontario Ministry of Education (2016). 21st Century Competencies: Foundation Document for Discussion. 2. See Fullan (2013). Great to excellent: Launching the next stage of Ontario s education agenda. 3. See Fullan and Langworthy (2014). A rich seam: How new pedagogies find deep learning, p. 22.

3 Grand Tour of Italy Curriculum Enrichment The following subject links hightlight just some of the ways in which you can connect lessons from the classroom to your EF tour: History Venice: Guided tour of Venice including St. Mark s Square and the Grand Canal Visit Doge s Palace Your visit to Venice begins with a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Your group will see gondolas glide down the Grand Canal before stopping in St. Mark s Square. This piazza has served as a meeting place for Venetians since the 9 th century and was named the drawing room of Europe by Napoléan Bonaparte. Next, your group will visit the grand Doges Palace, once a residence from which mighty Venetian dukes ruled. Doge s Palace now serves as a museum where students can explore the restored apartments, courtyards and chambers. Your group will stroll over the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the prison on the other side of the canal. The famous name comes from the sighs of prisoners who looked at Venice one last time as they walked from the courthouse to their prison cells. Florence: Guided tour of Florence including Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Chiesa di Santa Croce and the Gates of Paradise Optional excursion to Pisa Florence was once the centre of medieval trade and finance and is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. On your tour of Florence, students will learn about the city s turbulent political history including periods of rule by the powerful Medici family and numerous religious and republican revolutions. On your guided tour, your group will pass the classical statues at the Piazza della Signoria, where Michelangelo s David originally stood. Students will also visit Ponte Vecchio, one of the city s only bridges to survive WWII. The bridge provided the Medici easy access from the Pitti Palace to the Uffizi. Continue on to the Chiesa di Santa Croce, a basilica in the heart of Florence and the burial site of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Students will also have the chance to see the famous bronzed doors Ghiberti s legendary Gates of Paradise at the Florence Baptistery opposite the Duomo. Optional excursion to Pisa: Journey to Pisa on this half-day excursion. Enjoy a guided tour of the city s Field of Miracles, where you can snap a picture of the 12th-century Leaning Tower, aslant ever since the third floor was built. This is where Galileo was said to have developed his laws of gravity. Also visit the adjacent cathedral and baptistery, which contain exquisite marble pulpits carved in the Gothic style. Pompeii: Guided tour of Pompeii

4 Students will learn how wealthy Romans lived 2,000 years ago on their excursion to Pompeii. When neighboring Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, volcanic ash completely buried the Roman town, perfectly preserving the minutiae of daily life. Students will tour the ruins of villas, ancient temples and the Stabian Baths. Rome: Guided tour of Rome Visit the Colosseum Visit the Roman Forum Students will learn about the traditions of the Ancient Romans as they explore the mighty Colosseum, Rome s largest amphitheater. Originally built to accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum played host to some of the most incredible spectacles of the day including gladiatorial combat, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions and dramatic performances based on classical mythology. Other important sites to visit include the Roman Forum, once the heart of the Roman Empire and where Julius Caesar gave many of his great political speeches. Your group will take part in a self-guided walking tour with stops at some of Rome s most important historical and cultural sites. Visit the Pantheon which features the second-widest dome in Rome and is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in the city. Art & Culture Venice: See a glass-blowing demonstration Venice boasts some of the world s finest art and architecture from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Venice is also famous for its glassware, which your group will have a chance to witness during a glassblowing demonstration. Skilled craftsmen keep traditional glass-work alive. Venice is a major producer of specialty Murano glassware. Florence: Visit the Duomo Visit the Gates of Paradise on your guided tour of Florence Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, better known as the Duomo. Completed in the 15 th century, your group may recognize the Gothic style architecture of the cathedral from its façade and dark interior. Your students will also have the chance to see the famous Gates of Paradise sculpted by Lorenzo Ghiberti at the Florence Baptistery. The gilded bronze panels of the doors depict 28 scenes from the New Testament and are considered a Renaissance masterpiece. Rome and Vatican City: Guided tour of Vatican City Visit the Sistine Chapel Visit St. Peter s Basilica Your group will visit the Sistine Chapel, located in Vatican City. Michelangelo painted some of the world s finest pictorial images on the chapel s ceiling between 1508 and This was his first attempt at working in fresco, which he did by standing up and craning backward from a scaffold. Next, tour St. Peter s Basilica, erected on the site where the saint was martyred. Inside the basilica, students will see one of Michelangelo s most famous sculptures, Pietà. This marble sculpture depicts a

5 young Mary holding Jesus after the crucifixion. Michelangelo took great care to sculpt every indicate detail and fold in Mary s cloak and multi-figure sculptures were quite rare during the Renaissance time period. Geography: Sorrento Region: Optional excursion to Capri: Enjoy beautiful views of the Amalfi coastline as you ferry across the Bay of Naples to the captivating and mountainous Isle of Capri. On this full-day excursion, you will travel by funicular to the ancient island resort of Capri, then board a cruise and take in spectacular views of Capri s coast. Students will see the Arco Naturale, a majestic stone arch on the eastern cliffs, and the famous Faraglioni, three pale-ochre limestone colossi that loom out of the sea. These landforms, or stacks, are formed by wind and water erosion between cracks in limestone and the headland. Religion Florence: Visit the Duomo Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, better known as the Duomo, or dome, that dominates Florence s skyline. The dome was sculptor and architect Brunelleschi s finest work and the nearby campanile (bell tower) was designed by the painter Giotto. Look for the famous bronzed doors Ghiberti s legendary Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery opposite the Duomo. Assisi: Guided tour of Assisi Visit the Basilica of St. Francis Stop in Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. A local guide shows you the city, nestled between Mount Subasio and fields of olive groves, which draws millions of tourists every year with its religious significance and some of Italy s finest early Renaissance art. On your visit to the St. Francis Basilica, follow the life of one of Italy s most beloved saints through Giotto s frescoes. Dominating the Assisi skyline, the Basilica is actually two churches juxtaposed upon one another. Despite extensive damage by two earthquakes in the late 1990s, much of the church has been restored. Inside is the tomb of St Francis as well as frescoes depicting his life. Vatican City: Guided tour of Vatican City Visit the Sistine Chapel Visit St. Peter s Basilica A trip to Vatican City is essential for groups studying world religions. Your group will visit both the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter s Basilica. Today, the Sistine Chapel marks the site of Papal conclave, or the election of a new Pope. St. Peter s Basilica is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world and a pilgrimage site for millions of people around the world each year. This information contains potential subject links for EF s Grand Tour of Italy. Groups may or may not choose to take part in the activities listed or visit the sites listed based on the final itinerary chosen. The information presented is not inclusive of provincial curriculum expectations and does not take into account prior learning, individual learning needs, or in-class delivery of required curriculum.

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