Global Education for the 21st Century Student

Global Ed

What does it mean to be a global citizen?

Global citizens
  • are aware of the wider world and have a sense of their role as world citizens
  • respect and value diversity
  • have an understanding of how the world works economically, politically, socially, culturally and environmentally
  • participate in and contribute to the community at a range of levels from locally to globally
  • are willing to act to make the world a more sustainable place
  • take responsibility for their actions

What are the key concepts that relate to Global Education?

  • Global citizenship
  • Diversity
  • Interdependence
  • Sustainable development
  • Human rights
  • Values and perceptions
  • Constructive communication
  • Multiculturalism

The Phillips Brooks School provides each student the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills necessary for participation in a diverse, dynamic and ever-changing world. We do this through a global education program that is interdisciplinary in design and offers an integrated view woven into the various subjects studied.

To help us accomplish this we have adopted a curriculum, which is inspired by SPICE (Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education) called Immigration to the United States: Activities for Elementary School Classrooms. This program provides a framework that allows us to bring the study of global education into a perspective that closely connects the diverse culture of the United States to the global community.

We plant the seeds in the primary grades by asking about: why and how people move; the purposes of borders between countries; local points of entry for immigrants. In the upper elementary grades, lessons become more complex as students study: the push and pull factors of group migration; the impact of immigration; immigration law within the United States.

This program allows our students to grow deeply in their understanding of:

  • The interconnectedness of ourselves, the local area and the global culture
  • The dynamic exchange of people, ideas and commerce
  • How immigration creates a diversity of culture

It also offers ample opportunity to explore our own family immigrant histories and to develop a wide global perspective that holds true to our global education objectives. By the end of fifth grade, our students will have a solid foundation in historic and contemporary immigration patterns that will enhance their ability to appreciate the perspective, beliefs and values of others.

Where do we see Global Education in the Phillips Brooks School curriculum?

  • Weekly Chapel program
  • Social Learning program
  • School-wide and classroom Service Learning program
  • Social Studies curriculum
  • Culturally diverse assemblies and guest speakers, including artists, musicians and authors
  • The Family Diversity project
  • Fifth Grade Recycling project
  • Family Friday activities