The Tales of Strays campaign!

 

It's been so long, but fortunately I'm back with an inspiring post about stray animals. The cause of inspiration is an estimed colleague, Margarita Kosior along with her lovely daughter Evita and their quest to help the strays' situation. 

They have published a wonderful book, illustrated by Evita herself!, with the title Toby To The Rescue. You can find it here  both in paperback and Kindle option. They also volunteer for an animal shelter here in Thessaloniki, Stray Planet . 

The campaign is supported by many other great ELT educators and teachers! Please, feel free to contact Margarita Kosior for more information and guidance. Our colleagues were more than generous to offer lesson plans and ideas for our classes. 

It's a magnificent initative with the aim of raising awareness on the strays issue. Through Toby's story, students can realise the problem of those animals and consequently you, as a teacher, could have a fruitful and meaningful session. Isn't it exactly what we as educators should do? Urge our students to contemplate and make wise desisions while developing their critical thinking skills. 

Undoubtedly, the lesson plans are more than helpful and we all are grateful for them! They regard young ages and levels, but there are some also for higher levels. 

This is one of the cases among my students. Dimitra, a lovely young lady of thirteen years old, decided to write a story. Since my cat, Bella, has been always present in our lessons, Dimitra decided to write a story about a stray cat! 

English has never been Dimitra's favourite subject. She doesn't hate it either. She is a diligent student who always does her homework, but she has never been too keen on being a bit passionate about it. 

However, she a girl who loves reading! I was very happy to discover one day a couple of years ago, that in spite of her disliking in writing, she really enjoyed writing stories! This is not very common here in Greece, just because most of the students simply avoid reading.

So without a delay, here is Dimitra's story about Ginger, a stray cat! She illustrated the story herself! 

The story is exactly how she wrote it, typed it and sent it to me.

I hope you enjoyed Dimitra's story! Please, give it a try and talk in class about the stray's issue! You will be surprised by the students' response! However, parents can use the book as well. It would be a wonderful way to teach their children how lovely it is to help the helpless! 

The Disabled Access Friendly Campaign

The Disabled Access Friendly Campaign is a non-profit organisation, set by two remarkable people, Paul Shaw and Katie Quartano, here in Thessaloniki. Thanks to the many contributors and ambassadors, their Campaign aims to be everyone's campaign. Among presentations and activities in order to raise awareness, there is this wonderful website, where any colleague interested can find teaching material of every level and kind, articles and advice on how to improve their school premises so as to accommodate people with disabilities.  

Having the incentive of knowledge, the materials can be used in versatile ways. Here is an example of our first Awareness week.  

 

Last year I had the great honour of contributing my personal experience in the DAF Campaign's website and this year also trying to spread the word by having the pleasure to describe my experience in English Teaching Professional magazine. I cannot describe my joy and hope that many other teachers in Greece and all over the world will visit the DAF website, use the materials and, why not, spread the word themselves!

    

Since then I have been using the lesson plans and incorporate the ideas in my lessons. My students and I also continue our effort to support the local initiative of the Association of Disabled people in the region of Pella, in Giannitsa. We collect plastic bottle caps, so as they can be used for the purchase of wheelchairs for the members of the Association.I'd like to urge school owners and teachers to make this small effort and try to help as much as they can!

Respect is a feeling which many fellow citizens fail to find, especially nowadays. Let's try to create a better sense of respect for everyone, without discriminations, carelessness and disrespect. Let's try to make a difference and really offer a round-up education to our students! 

Remember, spread the word!