Around the World in 24 Hours

When you ask a group of 4th graders, “How many of you read the newspaper?” or “Did you see the news last night?” don't expect a bevy of hands to wave in the air. Nevertheless, students need to be aware of how closely their lives are tied to what is happening across the United States and around the world. They may not understand how an uprising in Nepal affects their security. They do understand, however, when students their age who live at the foot of Mt. Everest tell them that their water is terribly polluted and that they rode elephants over the weekend. Students can read about the destruction of the world's rainforests—but such knowledge only hits home when their peers in the Philippines tell them that they just returned from a field trip to their rainforest, only 10 percent of which remains. Students in our 1st–5th grade vertical team have these and many other global experiences.

Today my students sit in front of a large map of the world and locate oceans and continents. Linking math to our study by dividing the map into 24 time zones adds another dimension to their work. Eventually, the students will use what they have learned to participate in a culminating activity that we call the Big Night—a 24-hour, round-the-world adventure that engages students, teachers, and parents from across the globe in an exciting exchange of cultures, geography, and environmental concerns. More than 80 students, assisted by dozens of parents and teachers, will spend all night at the school to communicate with their international peers. The exciting world of videoconferencing makes such a learning journey possible. Are my students globally aware? You bet!

Preparing for the Adventure

Defining Our Purpose