What are we doing?
Kindergarten is embarking on an exciting global project based learning unit. We will be posing the question “How can we as kids in San Francisco support the rights of kids everywhere?” We will ask the boys to think deeply about the world around them and challenge them to tackle a question isn’t immediately solvable. In addition to applying 21st Century Skills, we hope to develop a curiosity, responsibility and optimism for the world. This website includes my lesson plans, student work and resources. It is a work in progress and will be updated as the students continue their journey.
What is Project Based Learning?
“In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. While allowing for some degree of student "voice and choice," rigorous projects are carefully planned, managed, and assessed to help students learn key academic content, practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking), and create high-quality, authentic products & presentations.”
More from Buck Institute for Education
Why Global Education?
“The world faces global challenges, which require global solutions. These interconnected global challenges call for far-reaching changes in how we think and act for the dignity of fellow human beings. It is not enough for education to produce individuals who can read, write and count. Education must be transformative and bring shared values to life. It must cultivate an active care for the world and for those with whom we share it. Education must also be relevant in answering the big questions of the day. Technological solutions, political regulation or financial instruments alone cannot achieve sustainable development. It requires transforming the way people think and act. Education must fully assume its central role in helping people to forge more just, peaceful, tolerant and inclusive societies. It must give people the understanding, skills and values they need to cooperate in resolving the interconnected challenges of the 21st century.”
More from UN Global Education First Initiative
Why Children's Rights?
"There are a number of reasons why children should be taught about children‟s
rights. Because the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified almost
globally, it applies to virtually all children. When children learn this, they are
readily engaged by the knowledge that they have rights. In addition, they come to
identify with children around the world, showing increased levels of socially
responsible behaviors and respect for the rights of all others. Children appear to
realize that if the rights of other children can be violated, so can their own and in
turn prompts an empathetic response. This realization, together with the
identification with other children, promotes action. Action to reduce the
infringement of children‟s rights is facilitated by rights-based pedagogy because
it, by definition, is participatory and democratic."
Howe, R.B & Covell, K. (2005/2007). Empowering Children, Children‟s Rights
Education as a Pathway to Citizenship, Toronto: University of Toronto Press
Kindergarten is embarking on an exciting global project based learning unit. We will be posing the question “How can we as kids in San Francisco support the rights of kids everywhere?” We will ask the boys to think deeply about the world around them and challenge them to tackle a question isn’t immediately solvable. In addition to applying 21st Century Skills, we hope to develop a curiosity, responsibility and optimism for the world. This website includes my lesson plans, student work and resources. It is a work in progress and will be updated as the students continue their journey.
What is Project Based Learning?
“In Project Based Learning (PBL), students go through an extended process of inquiry in response to a complex question, problem, or challenge. While allowing for some degree of student "voice and choice," rigorous projects are carefully planned, managed, and assessed to help students learn key academic content, practice 21st Century Skills (such as collaboration, communication & critical thinking), and create high-quality, authentic products & presentations.”
More from Buck Institute for Education
Why Global Education?
“The world faces global challenges, which require global solutions. These interconnected global challenges call for far-reaching changes in how we think and act for the dignity of fellow human beings. It is not enough for education to produce individuals who can read, write and count. Education must be transformative and bring shared values to life. It must cultivate an active care for the world and for those with whom we share it. Education must also be relevant in answering the big questions of the day. Technological solutions, political regulation or financial instruments alone cannot achieve sustainable development. It requires transforming the way people think and act. Education must fully assume its central role in helping people to forge more just, peaceful, tolerant and inclusive societies. It must give people the understanding, skills and values they need to cooperate in resolving the interconnected challenges of the 21st century.”
More from UN Global Education First Initiative
Why Children's Rights?
"There are a number of reasons why children should be taught about children‟s
rights. Because the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified almost
globally, it applies to virtually all children. When children learn this, they are
readily engaged by the knowledge that they have rights. In addition, they come to
identify with children around the world, showing increased levels of socially
responsible behaviors and respect for the rights of all others. Children appear to
realize that if the rights of other children can be violated, so can their own and in
turn prompts an empathetic response. This realization, together with the
identification with other children, promotes action. Action to reduce the
infringement of children‟s rights is facilitated by rights-based pedagogy because
it, by definition, is participatory and democratic."
Howe, R.B & Covell, K. (2005/2007). Empowering Children, Children‟s Rights
Education as a Pathway to Citizenship, Toronto: University of Toronto Press