Storyline Provides
a Lifeline in Post-War Kosovo
A personal
reflection by Sallie Harkness
Storyline was
first transported to Kosovo (previously part of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia and now under the administrative control of the United
Nations) by Danish colleagues Anelise Rasmussen and Ingelise Jorgensen.
Topics used as exemplars on their courses were 'the Community House',
'the Flower Shop' and 'Trucking'. In June 2003 I had the privilege
to work with Anelise in Pristina where we gave a fourth Storyline
course for teachers using 'Land of Storybook' as our exemplar
The course was part
of continuing inservice experience provided by the Adventist Development
and Relief Agency International. ADRA has been active in Kosovo since
the end of the war in 1999. Their first priority was to help rebuild
schools but soon it was clear that teachers needed much support in order
to implement the new Kosovo Curriculum developed with the help of UNICEF.
This document calls for child centred approaches, integrated learning,
differentiation and groupwork. Storyline provides a user-friendly structure
for thinking, planning and delivering the curriculum in ways which meet
these requirements.
Twenty five teachers
met in the Grand Hotel Pristina to take part in the Storyline activities.
The course followed the usual workshop pattern of key question, discussion,
activity and then feedback and reflection. Wall displays included artwork
and writing. 'Land of Storybook' proved to be a rich and varied topic
which allowed the teachers to draw on their cultural heritage of story
and rhyme.
Throughout, Anelise
and I had the support of the ADRA team led by Education Co-ordinator
Holly Hughson. Our interpreter Antigona Dajakaj gave continuous translation
into Albanian solving any problems regarding meaningful communication.
The teachers responded
with great enthusiasm and took part in all the suggested activities.
It was clear that they enjoyed the course experience. Many expressed
their intention to use the topic in school next session.
After work each
day there was time to relax and enjoy eating out in one of the many
restaurants which have sprung up in Pristina to cater for the 'internationals'.
A highlight of our visit was when Antigona took us to a family wedding
party in the country where the bride and her women friends were celebrating
the marriage with music and dancing.
In August Antigona
came to Scotland for a week's stay in order to work with me on a Trainer's
Manual based on the ADRA courses. This includes text in English and
Albanian and has a chapter entirely devoted to Storyline.
It is hoped that
Antigona and Bahtie, one of the ADRA trainers, will come to International
Storyline 2 in Elsinore, Denmark in November where they will make a
presentation about the Storyline Development in Kosovo.
Gallery
The Storyline Course
was held in a conference room in the Grand Hotel, Pristina.
The Storyline Topic was 'Land of Storybook'. Painted paper was used
to create the fantasy landscape then storybook characters and their
dwellings were added.
Paper-plate puppets were a popular choice for presenting incidents.
A giant beanstalk was constructed to convey Jack to the giant's castle.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International has created
training rooms for teachers' courses in several schools.
This typical primary classroom highlights the need for improved resource
provison in Kosovo.
Our interpreter, Antigona, dancing at a traditional Albanian wedding
party.
Time to relax at the end of the working day - Sallie and Anelise enjoy
a coffee at one of the many restaurants which have sprung up to cater
for the needs of the internationals.