Ready for the World: Preparing Elementary Students for the Global Age
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R EA DY FO R TH E WO R LD: LD: P REPAR IN G EL E M E NT AR Y STUD E NT S FO R TH E GLOB A L A GE Ready for the World: Preparing Elementary Students for the Global Age ISBN 978-1-936123-06-3 Ready for About Asia Society Funding for this publication provided by Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the peoples, the World: leaders and institutions of Asia and the United MetLife Foundation supports education, health, civic and cultural States. We seek to increase knowledge and organizations. In education, it places emphasis on strengthening teaching Preparing Elementary Students enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression and learning in public schools and on preparation for, access to, and and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, success in college, particularly the critical first year. Its grantmaking in for the Global Age business, education, arts and culture. The Asia education is informed by the annual MetLife Survey of the American Society Partnership for Global Learning develops Teacher. For more information see www.metlife.org. youth to be globally competent citizens, workers, and leaders by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for success in an increasingly interconnected world. www.AsiaSociety.org Copyright © 2010 by Asia Society. CONTENTS Contents Preface and Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... 2 PART I Preparing Globally Competent Students......................................................................................................... 3 PART II Strategies for Success: Preparing Teachers ............................................................................................... 9 Transforming Curriculum ...................................................................................................................................................13 Creating Authentic Assessments .................................................................................................................................14 Making Time to Collaborate with Colleagues .......................................................................................................15 Professional Learning ..........................................................................................................................................................18 How to Get Started ..............................................................................................................................................................20 PART III Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment to Prepare Students for the Global Age ..............................................................................................................21 Looking Through a Global Lens at the Content Areas ....................................................................................24 Interdisciplinary Curriculum ...........................................................................................................................................29 Thematic Units ......................................................................................................................................................................31 Active, Student-Centered Instruction ........................................................................................................................32 Authentic Assessments .....................................................................................................................................................33 PART IV World Languages in a Global Elementary School ...............................................................................35 Best Practices in Successful Language Programs ............................................................................................41 How to Get Started ..............................................................................................................................................................42 PART V Expanding Student Experiences ........................................................................................................................ 43 Connecting Through Digital Technology ................................................................................................................45 Connecting Through Service Learning ..................................................................................................................... 54 Connecting Through Community ................................................................................................................................56 Connecting Through Parents ..........................................................................................................................................57 Connecting Through Travel and Exchanges ............................................................................................................ 58 PART VI Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................................61 Appendix I: Elementary Curriculum Matricies .....................................................................................................62 Appendix II: References ....................................................................................................................................................70 Appendix III: National Advisory Committee ..........................................................................................................72 Appendix IV: Schools Cited .............................................................................................................................................74 PREPARING E LEMENTARY STUDENTS FOR THE G LOBAL A GE 1 PREFAC E AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preface and Acknowledgements Consider a girl entering kindergarten in the United States. Though her classes may be full of students from around the world, chances are global issues and cultures will not be consis- tently woven throughout her coursework. Unlike young children in other nations who begin learning a second language in elementary school, she will probably learn only one lan- guage, English, until high school. When she starts her career, she will likely live and work in a world where China is the largest economy and the world’s largest cities are all outside the United States. Will her American education prepare her for the challenges and opportu- nities of a global economy? Global competence, the capacity to investigate the this guide are Shari Albright, Chris Livaccari, Heather world, recognize and weigh perspectives, communi- Singmaster, Vivien Stewart, and myself. Producing this cate ideas to diverse audiences, and take action on guide would not have been possible without the wealth matters of global significance, is a crucial upgrade of knowledge from the project advisors and the model in our understanding of the purpose of education in programs of international education that they repre- a changing world. Students everywhere deserve the sent. Tese schools and programs are real pioneers in opportunity to succeed in the global economy and a field that is increasingly gaining national attention. contribute as global citizens. Knowing what knowl- Finally, Asia Society is deeply grateful to the MetLife edge and skills they need to seize that opportunity, Foundation for their support of this guide. MetLife is and designing schools that help to attain them, are the Founding Sponsor of Asia Society’s Partnership for essential for students to succeed in the interconnected Global Learning and is a valued partner in our interna- world of the twenty-first century. tional education work. School communities are increasingly interested in Te innovations in teaching and learning about the preparing their young people to succeed as work- world that are highlighted here are intended to serve ers and citizens in this new global environment. To both as inspiration and as practical, achievable models meet this need, Asia Society has created this guide for for change. While this guide is not comprehensive, it elementary schools, drawing on best practices from aims to illustrate key concepts and examples from more innovative schools across the United States that are than forty-five schools across the United States. Te integrating global knowledge and skills throughout the variety of approaches shows that teaching and learning curriculum. Tese schools are putting the world into about the world is within reach of every type of school world-class education by helping students learn about in every type of American community. We hope that world languages, cultures, and how the world’s social, you will use the ideas embedded in this guide and sug- environmental, and economic systems work. gest some of your own so that we may create stronger networks of interested educators and, ultimately, better I would like to thank my colleague Heather Singmaster, prepare our young people to succeed in this new global the project coordinator, for ably managing this impor- environment. tant initiative. I would also like to thank Mary Ellen Bafumo, who as primary author compiled dozens of Tony Jackson ideas, examples, and strategies to make this publica- Vice President, Education tion a rich resource. Additional