By: Hannah Mireles

The realities of global interdependence require understanding the increasingly important and diverse global connections among world societies and the frequent tension between national interests and global priorities. Students will need to be able to address such international issues as health care, the environment, human and military alliances, This theme typically appears in units or courses dealing with geography, culture, and economics, but it may also draw upon the natural and physical sciences and the humanities.

8 Case Studies

12 Custom Boxes

20 Globes

21 Graphic Organizers

22 Guest Speakers

27 Learning Centers

32 Model Factory

36 Pen Pals

44 Slide Show Oral Report

47 Trash Trail

48 Traveling Ambassador

50 Virtual Field Trips

Through this thematic strand students are able to:

`Experience first-hand experiences of global events.

`Understand how global events affect them.

`Connect their community to a global community

`Participate in discussion about global issues.

`Become a well-rounded student by learning about different cultures and the problems that surround them.

NCSS, http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/

Questions:

How does where you live influence how you live?

How do people change the environment?

What is culture?

What is my perspective of the world?

What makes community?

What does “the common good” mean and why does it matter?

How far am I willing to make a difference?

Match Handbook for U.S. Educators and Peace Corps Volunteers

National Geography Standards

I. The World In Spatial Terms Geography studies the relationships between people, places, and environments by mapping information about them into a spatial context.

1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools (e.g., charts and graphs), and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

2. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on the Earth’s surface.

II. Places and RegionsThe identities and lives of individuals and peoples are rooted in particular places and in those human constructs called regions

1. The physical and human characteristics of places.

III. Human SystemsPeople are central to geography in that human activities help shape Earth’s surface, human settlements and structures are part of Earth’s surface, and humans compete for control of Earth’s surface.

1. The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics.

2. The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface.

IV. Environment and SocietyThe physical environment is modified by human activities, largely as a consequence of the ways in which human societies value and use Earth’s natural resources, and human activities are also influenced by Earth’s physical features and processes.

1. How human actions modify the physical environment.

Adapted from: Peace Corps, Paul D. Coverdell, World Wise Schools

Global ConnectionsSocial studies programs should include

experiences that provide for the study of global connections and interdependence so that the learner can:

a) Explain how language, art, music, belief systems, and other cultural elements can facilitate global understanding or cause misunderstanding.

b) Explain conditions and motivations that contribute to conflict, cooperation, and interdependence among groups, societies, and nations.

Adapted from: Peace Corps, Paul D. Coverdell, World Wise Schools

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/index.html

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/Sites/letsnet/noframes/bigideas/index.html

It is important to realize that as educators, we need to set an

example. We are raising leaders, children who aspire to make a

difference. We must create a sense of efficacy into each child, so that

they will be challenged to succeed. In order to be successful in doing this,

It is crucial for us to be involved in our community and helping out

globally. By default students will look up to us, wanting to be as cool as

their 1st, 2nd, 4th grade teacher. They will look to us for help and

counseling. We cannot let them down, we must stimulate a sense of

efficacy into us. We must stand tall as teachers and be proud of the

role we fill. For me, I am interested in becoming a political activist

that will stand for the students whose voices are not being heard.

Whose voices are being covered up as insignificant. That is the thrill of

being apart of my community. Globally, I am interested in helping out

with AIDS and HIV as much as possible. So….

NCSS, http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/strands/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/index.html

Match Handbook for U.S. Educators and Peace Corps Volunteers Peace Corps, Paul D. Coverdell, World Wise Schools