This Franco-German day makes it possible to make the culture and language of the partner country better known in schools and educational establishments. At Jacques Prévert College in Migennes, a teacher had the idea of organizing a drawing competition on this theme of Franco-German friendship. 6th grade students as well as CM1-CM2 students from primary schools were involved in this competition as well as the Migennes-Simmern Twinning Committee.
At the origin of the Julia Lance project. She teaches German. For her, these drawings are therefore a way of introducing Germany to pupils who do not practice the language in class. And for the students she has in class, it is in the continuity of their learning and the projects that are carried out within the college. “In the small classes in college, we talk about the fall of the Berlin Wall, reunification and then traditions like Saint Nicolas or Saint Martin. Then it’s for the older ones, in fourth third that we put the emphasis on important dates such as wars. And with my colleagues in history, geography and music, we have the project every year to take third graders to Verdun. Discover the battlefields. And I think that’s very important for our students. They have a visual shock and say my god, it really existed. I hope it is something that we can do again in the future, because it has really marked our students.”
– Damien Robin
All 6th graders from Jacques Prévert College in Migennes were therefore concerned by this competition. Those who practice German like the others. The plastic arts teacher gave them some advice for their drawings. Laura, Méline, Ilan Romain and Emma wanted to talk about it. ” I represented the flags to show the two countries. I made the Effel tower and monuments that are important to them. On my drawing I put the Burgundy wine, the county, the Burgundian beef. In German black forest, beer.”
And when we ask them why is this Franco-German friendship important? Here is their response. “It represents respect I think. Before, I know we fought a lot of wars, but now they are nice. So it’s good and it makes me want to go to Germany.”
And as it is a drawing competition, the teachers as well as representatives of the Franco-German Twinning Committee of Migennes-Simmern will meet to designate the best of them. With rewards at stake.