I have always believed that sharing knowledge in education is the best form of learning. Having spent years teaching in classrooms worldwide, I share my top five tried and true ideas to enhance the respect and understanding of our world.
1. Invest in a large, laminated wall world map. Depending on the grade level, use push pins, labels, string, and mini headshots to showcase where your students originate—global faces of beautiful places. This activity is particularly engaging for students as it helps them visualize their place in the world or where they are traveling next, wish to be, or are on their must-see list. This visual aid enhances their geographical knowledge and fosters a sense of global citizenship and respect for diversity.
2. Invest in two easels. One easel can be used for your daily message along with your smartboard (if you have one), allowing your daily message to stay displayed for the day or the week. The second easel, however, serves a different purpose. It can offer students a global and approachable project, like Chinese brush painting or landscapes worldwide. These activities foster creativity and introduce students to other cultures and art forms. The additional offerings will inspire students to learn more when practicing calligraphy, writing words in various styles, and painting and sketching. An easel can also showcase common words in other languages, promoting language learning and cultural understanding.
3. Create two to three additional classroom sections along with your common meeting space. These spaces are not just areas but gateways to discovery and exploration. Dividing out these spaces will allow students to explore the host country in more depth. Create these learning space centers to include things about the highlighted country of study and provide things to explore like photographs, introductory books on the country, maps, everyday utensils, musical instructions, textiles, currency, and recipe cards.
4. Besides the wealth of global knowledge your students share with you, plan to check in and learn how your student's parents can share aspects of their country and culture with your classroom. Contributions like a recipe, traditional dress, dance, or a show with puppets or instruments are a great way to start. Your students and their families sharing a show-and-tell experience fosters a sense of connection, acceptance, respect, and love for the world and its people, places, and things.
5. Service-learning projects offer students opportunities to support their host country. These projects are about giving back and empowering students to make a difference, whether large or small. Service-learning projects help to enhance empathy and a deeper appreciation for their school, families, friends, travel, food, shelter, etc. Grade-level or school ideas for a project can be generated with teacher support on how, for who, what, where, and why their hands-on project will benefit themselves and many others.
There are countless ideas for promoting and fostering a positive and globally respectful classroom climate. My list shares just a few. In what ways do you encourage global awareness, respect, understanding, and support for a love of all things global? Share in the comments!
Nancy Craker-Yahman is a former classroom educator and early childhood director with 34 years of teaching and learning experience in Massachusetts and abroad with the Carol Morgan School in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and one of six pioneer teachers who started Mont' Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A peace promoter, published writer, advocate for service learning, and an active teacher mentor with university students studying education, Nancy is always willing to share her teaching and learning experiences and perspectives with teachers near and far.
