Oral memory and active teaching: an experience of local history in primary school

Abstract

As part of the project “Tales and Stories from the World and the Local Area”, the third-grade class of Giovanni XXIII Primary School in Lizzano in Belvedere explored local history, memory, and intangible heritage. Starting from the folk tale “The Tale of the Rooster and the Fresh Grass”, rooted in local tradition, students carried out interdisciplinary activities involving Italian, geography, art, science, technology, and English. The aim was to enhance the educational value of cultural heritage, its emotional and relational dimensions, and promote dialect as a language of memory. Students built a model of the territory, collected oral testimonies, and participated in intergenerational exchanges. This allowed them to experience a “situated” history, connected to their everyday life. The article retraces the project phases and offers a methodological reflection on the integration of oral and cultural heritage in history education, highlighting the value of active, interdisciplinary, and community-based learning approaches.