Here's a bit of what we've done in the first year of the project - Video made by pupils of Grade 5 class 5A
5th Graders - y. 2013-14
During our first year of project, 5th graders focused their attetion on the touristic side of our town. As a matter of fact Torre del Greco used to be a touristic destination in the past. Now the students found out that our entire area needs to be "promoted" in order to foster the tourism. As a result of their work they set up a Travel agency and chose a virtual itinerary for the tourists.
English version
Italian version
From the knowledge of our territory, culture and traditions to the discovery of our talents.
Students realised works at different levels, according to their age and abilities. Notwithstanding that difference we all believe that the starting point of all our project should be the knowledge of what we've been so far......
Students started with the knowledge of our traditions and cultural background.. The works were then divided into three main fields: coral and sea treasures, culinary traditions and flowers, all the three being part of our history, economy and culture. . You can read and see below the results of part of their work. Too see the rest, follow the link
Since the very beginning of time, coral has populated with its magic of perfect sculpture in a restless movement, the seas of the world.
And since the beginning of time men have loved, appreciated and utilized coral, being aware of its magical virtues, the splendid characteristics and attributing to it miraculous powers.
This love for coral has been transferred from population to population, adding to the perfection of nature, the taste and the knowledge of true sculptors and artists from our town: TORRE DEL GRECO.
Jewels, sculptures, ornaments for people, as well as for houses, altars and churches, are part of our history and our amazing art.
Alessio Farella, class 4 C
Our inquiry started with the research and documentation. By means of book and internet we knew many things about coral
The second step of our work was the selection of materials for our studies, which affected many subjects.
HISTORY: reconstruction of the social-economic tissue of our city.
GEOGRAPHY: analysis of territory: connections between men and environment.
SCIENCE: researches about coral (corallium rubrum)- habitat,description, biology.
LITERATURE: History of coral and Mythology (Ovidio, IV- Methamorphosis).
ART: Discovery of our artistic and cultural heritage about coral and cameos.
MATHS: statistical research about coral artisan business in our town.
TECHNOLOGY: method of coral fishing and techniques of coral-working.
Step 3:interview to the families
In order to have direct information from our local context,children interviewd craftsmen, local entrepreneurs and also relatives. Here's the questions theyasked.
TORRE DEL GRECO : CITY OF THE CORAL
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Are you aware that Torre del Greco was famous in all over the world for the handiwork of coral and cameos?
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Do you have in your family people who are personally working corals or cameos at present?
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If so, who in particular? (list and specify sex – ex : uncle or grandmother).
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Is this their main occupation?
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Do you have in your family people who used to personally work in this field in the past?
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If so, who in particular?
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How many years ago?
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Was it his/her only job?
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Where they owners or employees?
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Where did they work? (at home, in a factory, in a workshop…)
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How many hours a day?
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Where they angaged in a steady job or occasionally?
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Which was their main occupation?
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(If employees) How where they paid? (daily, weekly, monthly…)
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(If owners) Where was in the past the main trade of coral and cameos handicrafts, in Italy or abroad? Specify the countries involved.
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( if they are at the moment engaged) Is it still so? Specify the countries involved.
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Do you believe that at present Torre del Greco has the same weight in this field as in the past?
Students from Class 2B of Middle School made a video interview.
Follow the arrow and get there
Step 4:meeting the local craftsmen and businessmen.
As a further step, we have met some local craftsmen, who have shown their works and revealed some of their secrets......
Step 5: visit to the Local High School of Art adn Crafts
One more activity planned was the visit to the local High Schol of Art adn Crafs, where we met the young and talented studetns, who showed us the tools they use and the creations they make.
In the school there's an amazing museum, where many beautiful pieces of art of our town are preserved. They are made by many famous local artist through the centuries
