AN ENGAGING WAY TO REINFORCE LEARNING AND REVISE CONTENT ACROSS SUBJECTS
Throughout the years of the existence of Direct Aid Association (DAA) hospital school, our teaching staff has developed a number of meaningful and engaging traditions. These traditions are closely connected to the goal of delivering education in ways that inspire and motivate students, nurture their imagination, and make the learning process vibrant, enjoyable, and supportive.
In a hospital school environment, where students face unique challenges, a creative and imaginative approach is not just beneficial – it is essential. In some cases, given the conditions under which we have to teach our students, the above-mentioned approach helps sustain the students’ interest, encourages participation, and supports both academic and personal development. This includes acquiring knowledge and developing skills and competences.
One of the most successful and cherished initiatives is the Educational Festival. This tool — or rather the big event within the hospital school calendar — serves as a powerful means for revising and reinforcing previously learned material in a way that is both lively and memorable. On this special day, learning transforms into a true celebration. Students come up to the stage to show their talents — reciting poems, singing, acting in short plays, and dancing — while demonstrating their understanding of various subjects.
Beyond the stage performances, students also express their creativity through visual arts and crafts. The venue is beautifully decorated with their handmade creations, including paintings, knitted items, beadwork, macramé, and other artistic projects. Students with a passion for creative writing are given the opportunity to display their written pieces at the entrance to the performance hall, allowing their voices and ideas to be shared with a wider audience.
Preparation for the festival is a collaborative effort. The handcraft teacher works closely with the hospital school teachers as well as the students in workshops to design and create costumes and decorations, fostering teamwork and practical skills. Meanwhile, students in the baking atelier contribute by preparing a variety of delicious treats, which are offered to guests upon arrival, adding a warm welcome and festive touch to the event.
The festival atmosphere is further enriched by the presence of special guests, as well as enthusiastic parents, doctors, and nurses, who form a warm and supportive audience. Their involvement adds to the sense of community and celebration, making the event even more meaningful for the students. During the performance, the audience is emotional and excited at the same time.
The Educational Festivals are typically organized around a specific theme, often connected to important dates in the national calendar of Armenia such as Mother’s Day, Army and Defense Day, Children’s Day, Easter, Christmas, etc. These themes provide a meaningful framework that allows students to connect their learning with cultural traditions, making the educational experience more relevant and emotionally engaging.
One particularly memorable example (though to be fair we have to emphasize they all are special and memorable) is the festival dedicated to Mother’s Day, which in Armenia is celebrated on April 7th. For this occasion, students embarked on an enriching interdisciplinary journey that combined knowledge, creativity, and heartfelt expression. Through an engaging “informative tour,” they explored the transformations that occur in nature during spring, highlighting the beauty of renewal and rebirth. In doing so, they demonstrated their knowledge and skills in Biology, with such concepts as seasonal changes, plant growth, and the awakening of living organisms. At the same time, students incorporated their knowledge of Geography by illustrating the differences between various geographical zones, creatively bringing these concepts to life through performances and visual presentations. Language and literature also played a central role in the celebration.
Students recited poems by renowned Armenian poets, showcasing both their appreciation of national literary heritage and the skills they had developed during Armenian language lessons. In addition, they presented their own written works — not only in their mother tongue but also in the foreign languages taught at our school — demonstrating linguistic competences and creative expression.
The festival concluded with a touching and symbolic gesture. Students distributed handmade greeting cards to mothers, aunts, sisters, and female members of the medical staff. This was more than a simple tradition; it was an expression of gratitude, respect, and recognition of the important role women play in their lives.
Overall, the Educational Festivals not only reinforce academic knowledge across multiple subjects but also raise cultural awareness, boost confidence, and foster a strong sense of community — making them a truly meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved. The Educational Festivals demonstrate how learning can be transformed into an engaging, inclusive, and joyful experience.
Kristine Andreasyan Email: kandreasyan@gmail.com
HOPE Deputy Committee Member, Armenia
Liana Sanamyan Email: daa.office@gmail.com
HOPE Committee Member, Armenia
