Elementary teachers, have you ever thought about bringing the world into your classroom? Have you thought about transforming your classroom into a global classroom?
As elementary teachers, we have the unique opportunity to shape young minds and foster a sense of curiosity and understanding about the world around us. In today’s interconnected world, it’s essential that we help our students develop a global perspective.
Creating a global classroom can not only broaden our young students’ horizons, but it can also help develop global values like empathy, responsibility, and respect. Adding global elements to your classroom can also make learning fun for your students.
So far, having a global classroom sounds pretty good, but you may be wondering how difficult is it to actually create one. In this post, we’ll explore seven fun, yet simple ways to transform your elementary classroom into a global classroom!
7 Fun Ways to Transform Your Classroom into a Global Classroom
🌎 Explore with Maps and Globes
Maps and globes are fantastic tools for introducing young learners to geography and the concept of the world. Make sure to use them whenever possible in your lessons. You can embark on virtual journeys, explore different countries, and even mark the places your students are from. This hands-on approach will spark their curiosity about the world.
When I was our school’s K-2 librarian, each grade had a specific global theme for the year. My first graders visited a new country each week. I would share images, videos, and books about the featured country. I had a large world map on the wall. Whenever we “visited” another country, we would put a star on the country’s location on the map. The students loved seeing the map fill up with stars.
A simple map or globe can help students get an idea about the world around them. Another great option is to use Google Earth. This site can help students actually “visit” other places and see them up close.
📚 Incorporate Global Literature
Dive into the rich tapestry of global literature with your students. Introduce them to books by foreign authors, stories set in far-off lands, or tales featuring characters from diverse backgrounds. Reading global literature not only enhances their reading skills but also exposes them to different cultures and perspectives. Books are a great way to transform any classroom into a global classroom.
Sharing good books is a very simple way to add global elements to your classroom and make learning fun! You can find countless books to share with your students. There are wonderful nonfiction options, as well as fabulous fictional choices. One of my absolute favorites is Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. Students will love spunky Madeline and enjoy seeing the sights of Paris. This enjoyable read-aloud can help you transform your classroom into a global classroom.
🌍 Investigate the World
Encourage your students to become young explorers by investigating the world around them. Explore countries, cultures, and traditions through research projects, virtual field trips, and guest speakers. Let their curiosity lead the way as they learn about people and places from all corners of the globe.
👥 Encourage Collaboration
Collaboration is a vital skill in our globalized world. Create learning experiences that allow your students to work together on projects and assignments. Connect with other classrooms worldwide through platforms like Skype or Zoom, fostering friendships and cross-cultural understanding.
An easy way to encourage collaboration in an elementary classroom is to incorporate partner games. Games have lots of great benefits, including helping students learn to work together. I like to play partner games two or three times a week. You can grab this free game set, and other fun resources, by signing up for the Members Only Free Resource Library. Click the image of the game set to get your free set.
🌟 Teach Global Qualities
As educators, we have a responsibility to nurture not only academic growth but also the development of global qualities such as responsibility, empathy, and respect. Infuse these values into your daily lessons, discussions, and activities. Highlight the importance of respecting different viewpoints and cultures. Global qualities certainly should be an important focus in a global classroom.
🌍 Embrace Differences and Similarities
Don’t shy away from discussing the differences and similarities among people and cultures. Encourage open and respectful conversations about various customs, traditions, and perspectives. Show your students that our differences make the world a richer and more fascinating place.
💻 Use Technology to Connect
Leverage technology to connect your classroom with the wider world. Utilize video conferencing, email pen pals, and educational websites that facilitate global interactions. Engage in collaborative projects with schools from other countries, fostering a sense of global citizenship among your students.
There are also several websites that can help bring the world into your classroom. Explore these cool sites and then share them with your students.
- Google Earth – Students can visit places up close, even on the other side of the world!
- National Geographic for Kids – Countries – This great website has wonderful images of many, many different countries. The countries are listed in alphabetical order to make them easy to find.
- Free Kids Books – This site has a good selection of global ebooks. You can project a book on your ActivBoard or interactive TV for a fun read-aloud. The downside to this site is a lot of annoying ads.
- Our Place: World Heritage – This site also has fantastic photographs of different places around the world.
In conclusion, creating a global classroom doesn’t have to be difficult and it certainly will have lots of positive benefits for your students. Creating a global classroom for elementary students can open doors to a world of knowledge, empathy, and understanding. By simply incorporating maps, global literature, investigations, collaboration, and a focus on global qualities, you’ll empower your students to become responsible and compassionate global citizens. Help your students embrace the diversity of our world, celebrate our differences, and learn the fun of exploring other cultures. Together, we can raise a generation of children who are well-prepared to thrive in our interconnected world.
