International Project Based Learning Opportunities for Elementary/Primary Level

As educators we have all heard of and understand the appeal of project-based learning. Most students learn better by being actively involved in their learning, rather than passively sitting and listening to teacher talk. This is true ofstudents of  any age.

What seems to throw many teachers is introducing “international or global” into it. Please please don’t be intimidated by theses terms! As I explain to my teachers, an international or global emphasis can be worked in to almost ANY standard(s) you need to teach. Pick out the standards first. Then think about what type of project would be best suited for those standards. For example, if you are doing writing standards, then having a journal or penpal might be a good fit. If you are focusing on reading comprehension, then creating a skit or graphic display of story elements is a possibility. It you are doing science standards to do with climate, a project collecting weather data could work. THEN you can look for a global emphasis. See the suggestions below.
NOTE: As mentioned before on this site- I am focused on elementary or primary level students. It may take a little digging to find resources appropriate for this age, but it can be done. And resources that are free or low cost can be found too. Just keep looking!

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Writing Standards:
If you want to focus on journal writing, consider Penpal Schools – Schools Around the World

PenPal Schools: Schools Around the World project
PenPal Schools: Schools Around the World project

The Schools Around the World topic connects students ages 8 through 16 to learn about schools and compare what it’s like to be a student in different parts of the world. Students choose from multiple project options and share their work with the PenPal Schools global community. To help students create their projects, each student collaborates with peers from around the world through a series of online lessons.

Students work individually or in teams to create original work that they’ll share in the PenPal Schools Showcase

Essential Question: How does your school compare to schools around the world?
Project Option: (just one example)
  School Day Journal: Students track and share their school day in an online journal. Students then compare elements of their school        day with students in the PenPal Schools community.

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Reading Comprehension:
Take part in the Global Read Aloud.

Global Read Aloud
Global Read Aloud

“The premise is simple; we pick a book to read aloud to our students during a set 6-week period and during that time we try to make as many global connections as possible. Each teacher decides how much time they would like to dedicate and how involved they would like to be. Some people choose to connect with just one class, while others go for as many as possible. The scope and depth of the project is up to you. While there are commonly used such as Skype, Twitter, Padlet,  or Flipgrid, you choose the tools that will make the most sense for you. Teachers get a community of other educators to do a global project with, hopefully inspiring them to continue these connections through the year.”
My personal favorite way to have my younger students participate is for them to use Flipgrid to record their reactions and opinions of the stories and share them with students around the globe.

 

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Science Standards:
Take advantage of the resources on Globe.gov
If your students have been working on climate data take a look at Globe Climate for Elementary Students

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Other places to look for inspiration and ideas?
UN KidPower
Heifer Project
International Literacy Association

 

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