SILK ROAD TO SCOTLAND
A creative approach to multi-disciplinary teaching
The Silk Road to Scotland project, guided by Professor Nigel Osborne of the University of Edinburgh and implemented by The Tapestry Partnership, uses music from Silk Road countries (such as China and India) as a key to deep disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning, using the power of creative arts to capture the imagination of learners. By bringing together a wide range of curriculum areas in a mutually supportive manner, learners are encouraged to make connections across subject areas and to develop creative ideas.
The Silk Road project exemplifies many of the key principles of Curriculum for Excellence, it is designed to develop the four capacities (successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors) and there is a particular emphasis on the investigation of and respect for other cultures which comprise Scotland today. The Silk Road allows children to explore the curriculum in a creative and innovative way by making connections meaningful across all areas of knowledge.
It brings together education and arts in an exciting and new model – teachers have commented on a new interest in learning from children “The Silk Road made me want to come to school”. Teachers are working in Teaching Learning Communities in schools to bring together subject stages (primary) and subject specialisms (secondary) and in doing so, a “whole-school” approach to learning is developed.
The Silk Road to Scotland is an ambitious large-scale programme which has involved local authorities and schools in North & East Ayrshire, North & South Lanarkshire and Fife working in partnership with Tapestry. The programme has benefitted from sponsorship by the Scottish Government and the Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh.
FOR INFORMATION ON THE TAPESTRY PARTNERSHIP PLEASE CLICK HERE.
FOR TESS ARTICLE ON SILK ROAD TO SCOTLAND PLEASE CLICK HERE.
FOR ARTICLE FROM AN EDUCATIONAL OBSERVER PLEASE CLICK HERE.