Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2026 Newsletter
A Case Study of International Collaboration in Initial Teacher Education: The Meadow Is a Rainbow As part of the collaboration between the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart( UCSC), Milan, and the University of Thessaly within the eTwinning for Future Teachers initiative, The Meadow Is a Rainbow was selected as an exemplary educational project illustrating how international cooperation can enrich Initial Teacher Education( ITE).
use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication( AAC).
The project involved Italian and Greek pre-service teachers working collaboratively to design, observe, and reflect upon inquiry-based learning activities for children. The educational intervention was implemented in an Italian preschool, which hosted a student teacher during her teaching placement. This authentic international mobility experience enabled future teachers to exchange pedagogical perspectives, compare educational practices, and develop intercultural and professional competences through collaborative planning and classroom observation.
Designed for children aged three and four years, The Meadow Is a Rainbow integrated environmental education, music, creativity, visual arts, and language learning. The school garden became a living laboratory where children explored nature through sensory, artistic, and movement-based experiences. Alongside the development of scientific curiosity and environmental awareness, the project introduced simple vocabulary in both Italian and English while promoting inclusive practices through the
Beyond its pedagogical value, The Meadow Is a Rainbow generated significant outcomes for both teacher education and the wider community: the project reflects the principles of placebased education, which emphasizes the importance of connecting learning to local environments and communities( Sobel, 2004; Smith & Sobel, 2010). Extending activities beyond the school garden into neighborhood parks enabled children to develop a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility towards their local environment while fostering
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