Active learning about inclusion and access in quality education in the context of civic education

Themes and Learning Objectives

  • Teaching SDG 4 Quality Education and SDG 10 Reduced
    inequalities
  • The “Dragondancers” story.
IC Casali del Manco Pietrafitta – Scuola Primaria “Margherita Hack” Morelli

Location: Casali del Manco, Italy

Pupils involved: 15 pupils

Age Group: 9-10 years old, 4th grade

Lesson: Italian, Civic Education

Implementation Procedures

The different school environments selected for the Hunt were connected to the SDGs values (for example, library=education, gym=movement).
First, the teacher chose the story Dragondancers and decided to dedicate 1 hour every Friday to these activities. Students watched the story in class and were divided into 2 groups. Each group made up a story ending before watching the existing one.
Materials and tools used
  • Video of the story “Dragondancers”
  • Activity Card: Stories into movement
  • Cardboard
  • Pens, pencils, markers, glitter
Then, the students started working on the scavenger hunt with the Scales they created with cardboard. The school was transformed into a fantasy kingdom with the Scales Hunt adventure!
Τhe class was divided into two teams to play Hide and Search. The first group was tasked with hiding the scales in the school spaces and writing targeted clues to guide the search. The second group, equipped with observation and logic, followed the clues to find the hidden scales.
The hunt took place through different school spaces, including the gymnasium, library, outdoor courtyard, lobby and classrooms, turning each location into a piece of a mysterious treasure map. With each clue uncovered, enthusiasm grew, fuelling a strong sense of collaboration among the children. In the end, the scales were found!
After that they discussed what they learnt. At the beginning, the links between the proposed activities and the SDGs values were not easy to grasp, because they experienced the activities just as a fun game. But then they were able to make connection and discuss about the relevant topics, including the importance of having access to school education, the discrimination imposed to those children who cannot go to school and even the fact that, as one of the students said “education means freedom”.

Alternative ideas for implementation

A potential alternative was already implemented in another class of the same school: They also created a Scales Hunt, but used Artificial Intelligence and IT tools and shaped it as an Escape Room.

Sharing Outcomes and Experiences

The activity not only brought great fun, but also stimulated active learning, organizational skills and creativity. Each child participated with energy and involvement, contributing to the success of the adventure in an exciting way. It contributed in learning about the SDGs in more concrete ways, understanding how they are connected to everyday life. Student active participation and enjoying learning were enhanced.