Globally Aware Teaching

By Tami Markin
What is global awareness?

“The globally aware person has the knowledge, competencies, values, and
dispositions to act in an informed manner, demonstrate empathy, engage in effective
intergroup communication, and build community across social, cultural, political,
environmental, geographic, and economic boundaries.”

- Global Awareness Definition

University of Wisconsin-Superior January 12, 2010

5 ways to become a more globally aware
teacher:
1. Encourage the development of empathy

“Roots of Empathy” is a wonderful program to promote empathy in

young children. A trained facilitator teaches the class about what babies
need and the reasons why a baby might cry, smile, shout, etc. A baby (and
his/her mother) visits your class several times over the course of the
school year so the children see the baby grow and change.
 2. Encourage students to care for the environment

Ask your students to brainstorm ways to

help our planet and to make every day
‘Earth Day!’

Some ideas:
● Conserving water
● Reducing waste
● Reusing materials
● Recycling materials
● Using a compost bucket
● ‘Lights out’ lunches
 3. Encourage students to help people within our
community:

● Take time to visit senior

centres
● Collect food for the food
bank
● Collect warm mittens, socks
and toques to give to
shelters in winter

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 4. Donate to children in developing countries:

Operation Christmas Child is a terrific program which encourages

children to help others in a developing country. Encourage children to
bring small toys, books, school supplies, and hygiene items. Fill a
shoebox and drop off at a donation collection site where it will be sent to
a child in another country.

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 5. Invite families into your classroom:

Invite family members to come in and share family customs and

traditions. Or perhaps have a potluck where families are invited to share
favourite traditional dishes with the class.

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https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/q_glossy,ret_img,w_550/https://www.edcan.ca/wp-conte
nt/uploads/edcan-v58-n2-freeman-550x296.png
 References:

Global Awareness Definition:

https://www.uwsuper.edu/facultysenate/executive/attach
ments/10-11/upload/Global_Awareness_Definition_2010-
01-12.pdf

Image credit:
https://learnerlog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12
/Globe-in-palm-199x300.jpg