The World on a (Violin) String

You learn the parts of a violin, and then you get a violin.
Sounds too good to be true?

It's the truth, alright.  Each of these young children from Durham Public Schools is about to receive his or her very own violin from KidZNotes, a not-for-profit organization promoting classical music training for children in East Durham's poorest neighorhoods. The violins and lessons--four lessons a week after school, and rehearsal on Saturdays--are all free.

KidZNotes Director Katie Wyatt (pictured here) leads the Durham initiative.  And the global connection?  This educational music movement comes from Venezuela. 

Conceived and directed by Jose Antonio Abreu (an economist, as well as a composer, and conductor),  El Sistema has touched and improved the lives of over 800,000 children living in poverty in the past thirty-five years.   Its success has been re-created all over the world.  Wyatt studied the curriculum in Venezuela as an Abreu Fellow and determined to bring it to Durham.  You can read about the program here.  

The long term plan is to replicate the East Durham project in other parts of the city and the state. (Maybe in your school district!)  You can read more about KidZNotes and the big launch here.  And keep up with KidZNotes with Katie's blog. 

Congratulations to KidZNotes and East Durham's budding musicians on a wonderful start.  When you start posting your concerts on YouTube, we'll post the link here!

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!

Service Learning in the Global Neighborhood

Community volunteering has become an essential part of many schools (particularly high schools), but has your school been thinking about introducing service learning? Roughly one out of three schools have a service learning component for students. It's a step beyond volunteering, with curricular connections, structure, particular objectives, and opportunities for reflection during and after the project. Here's some background on the goals and strategies of service learning:



Most service learning opportunities have focused on the local, state, and national communities, but Asia Society now has resources and ideas for making your school's service learning truly global. Whether you're planning a service learning component, or deepening your commitment, take a look through Making Service Learning Work for Your Students' Futures. There's something for every level, from kindergarten through high school.

Service learning, like global learning, connects students' skills with real-life problem-solving and encourages critical thinking, respect, and responsibility. Talk with your colleagues about getting these powerful partners together in your school plan.

No Dollars. Lots of Sense.

You're a global teacher who wants to bring the world into your classroom. But now everyone's saying there's just no funding for global learning.

Feel like giving up? Don't.

There are lots of free and almost-free resources for teaching globally. I'll be posting global resources for all levels here. And I hope you'll join in with ideas and suggestions for your colleagues.

Times are tough. Fortunately, teachers are tougher.