Global Learning has been at the core of the FSMH experience for decades. One way that we are achieving our mission to “empower students . . . to become responsible global citizens” is through Global Engagement classes and projects, which were introduced into the curriculum this year and are explained by guest contributor T. Diane Driessen.
Friends School has a long tradition of recognizing and celebrating national and international days of significance, such as International Day of Peace, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and Earth Day. These celebrations have taken many forms over the years. Some years have included families and the community while others have been classroom focused. Some celebrations lasted a class period and others lasted an afternoon. Some projects have focused on poster making and others have included planting trees. This year’s global engagement classes are designed to enhance and build on the learning that comes from discussions and projects.
Global Engagement is being developed and presented by different groupings of students each trimester. The first trimester cohort includes third, fourth and fifth graders with T. Patricia, T. Patti, T. Flo, and T. Diane as facilitators. The students have chosen to celebrate World Children’s Day, which is designated by the United Nations as November 20. Friends School Mullica Hill will be gathering on November 18 to share our learning and recognize the importance of protecting children’s health, safety, and security – today and everyday.
Students came to an agreement to focus on this day after several discussions. In our first meetings, students were presented with a list of possible days to explore, such as Food Waste and Loss Day, Day of the Girl, World Food Day, and Peace and Science Day. Discussion centered around the essential question: “Which international day is important to celebrate as a school community because it speaks to our Quaker values and recognizes the diversity, equity and inclusiveness of our school families?” As we looked at the list, some choices were eliminated because they didn’t meet our criteria. Students found themselves passionate about certain topics and then came the realization that students could choose a topic that they were passionate about and investigate how it impacts children. So this year’s Children’s Day is going to include presentations about Children and the Impact of Natural Disasters, Children and Gender Expression, and Children and Food. Currently, groups are busy figuring out how they are going to inform their target audience about their topics and how to best engage their audience.
The intent of these trimester-focused studies is to give children a deeper understanding of how these issues impact them. It also allows them the opportunity to work in cross-grade level groupings. Furthermore it allows them to find their voice and passion and bring those to a larger audience. A teacher observing the class noted, “It is so interesting to hear the good ideas these students have and to hear the excitement as they discuss their ideas.”
(Editor’s note: Grades 6-8 will participate in Global Engagement classes and projects in the second term and Pre-K through Grade 2 in the third term.)
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