Happy Earth Day

Because there's no place like home.

"My Role in Creating a Peaceful World"

Looking for a great creative challenge for the end of the school year? 

The Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO are sponsoring a student writing contest on the topic "My Role in Creating a Peaceful World."  Students up to age 25 may submit an 800 word essay on the theme.  (There are separate sections for entrants up to 14, and from 15-25.)  Top prize is $1,000 and a trip to Japan to accept the award.  Deadline is June 30, 2010.  More information here.

And please note:  Students can write and submit their essays in English, Spanish, French, German, or Japanese.   Get them started now!

Volcanic Ash Plume

So a volcano in Iceland blows its top and airports all over Europe shut down.  The tiny grit of volcanic ash, we've learned, can destroy plane engines in flight.  (Here's NASA's photo from yesterday, showing the plume headed toward northern Scotland.)

 
You can track the plume here.  Great integrated lesson on earth science, geography, and engineering!

And, by the way, the name of the volcano is Eyjafjallajökull.  That's pronounced "AYA-fyatla-jo-kutl."

(Or you can just say "the volcano in Iceland.")

EOCs and EOGs are coming

Those tests are coming up fast.  Pencils ready?

Are you just a little worried that you should have spent less time on global teaching and more time teaching to the test?  Don't be.  If you've been conscientious about opening the world to your class, chances are you've been more than conscientious about preparing them to show their skills on the test.

Remember that many non-fiction reading selections on language arts tests are drawn from social studies (particularly themes on world regions).  This goes for the ACT and SAT, too.

Remember that global learning goes across the curriculum, and is an ideal curriculum integrator.  Yes, you can teach math and science and global awareness.  (And you do.)

Remember that global learning enhances literacy, critical thinking, and technology skills that are crucial for success in the 21st century (as well as for the test). 

And remember you still have time to do some old fashioned test prep, if you want.  Just don't forget global connections!