Blog entry by Ivana Humena
At the beginning of November 2025, I realised the Age of Exploration Dinner Party lesson with my third-grade students at the our bilingual grammar school. The activity was inspired by the interdisciplinary Fostin Erasmus project and adapted from its innovative textbook. Although the original lesson was designed for a 90-minute session, we worked within a 45-minute period. The main focus was on cooperation within small groups, encouraging students to combine their ideas, apply critical thinking, and use their geographical knowledge and skills creatively. The classroom quickly turned into a lively workspace where every student took responsibility for their role.
It was a truly student-centred experience—learners organised themselves efficiently and demonstrated that joy and motivation in learning naturally arise when they are given autonomy and trust. The only drawback was the lack of time for group presentations at the end. I would definitely recommend implementing this lesson in a full 90-minute block to allow for deeper discussion and sharing of outcomes. Overall, it was an inspiring and energising teaching experience.