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GLOBAL EDUCATION: A SHRINKING WORLD NEEDS AN EXPANDING VISION
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Journey students experience a global curriculum that teaches them to appreciate the differences and recognize the common threads of fellow humans in the world's village. As the 21st century progresses, more schools will need to prepare students to succeed in a society that is marked by interdependence, diversity and rapid change. This issue of the Thursday Know focuses on two recent learning blocks related to global education.
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Middle School students just adventured on a month-long excursion to Ancient China. They started their sojourn as early peoples in search of an ideal location to establish a permanent settlement. Students used logic, relevant criteria, and maps to justify decisions.
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Students engage in critical thinking and creative writing
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Students then constructed a timeline of China's important dynasties.
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The dragon represents power, valor and excellence
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Bar graphs were used to depict the lengths of the dynasties.
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| Infusing math and art across the curriculum
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Students learned about precious Chinese commodities by listening to compelling stories and writing original summaries.
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Human beings have a long tradition of telling stories to impart wisdom
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Students studied Confucius' philosophical teachings in modern contexts.
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Students encounter the great thinkers of the world
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A highlight was learning about the construction of the Great Wall from the vantage point of a forced laborer.
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Students' wrote letters to loved ones about working conditions
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7 CULTURES ON 4 CONTINENTS
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7th grade students are currently exploring the cultures Africa, South America, Asia, and Australia. These important parts of the world are all too often left out of traditional curricula.
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Student artwork cultivates connection
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Students are thinking deeply about the ways geography shapes culture and they are also experiencing the foods, music, dance, and customs of seven diverse peoples on four continents. Along the way, they are reflecting on their own culture, too.
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In honor of Mother's Day, won't you help Ugandan women living on less than $1 a day?
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To make their studies more meaningful, students will host a week-long fundraiser beginning April 27 for a non-profit called Bead for Life. The student-run marketplace will provide many benefits, including: - Selling beautiful necklaces, earrings and bracelets and natural cosmetics created by women in Uganda
- Providing curricular lessons in inventory, sales, accounting, and customer service first hand
- Returning 80% of the proceeds directly to the women in Uganda
An online marketplace will also be available through May 15. |
6th Grade students are in the midst of the Middle Ages. They've learned about knights, King Arthur's Roundtable, the impact of Charlemagne's reign, the role of the church in shaping daily lives, the concept of social stratification, the importance of literacy in historical context, and more. In typical Journey style, students have also experienced powerful hands-on lessons, including a rite of passage known as the Knighting Process that includes community service projects, abundant home and school responsibilities, as well as physical challenges. Early next week, students will take a twelve hour-long vow of silence to reflect on what it means to be a noble human being, just like knights of the past. Students will then camp in individual tents alone and emerge at dawn as stronger individuals committed to doing good in the world.
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| Photos courtesy of Pradhan Studios
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Students will spend the next day in service to the campus, followed by a feast for the ages and a formal knighting ceremony. Their studies will culminate on Wednesday 4/22 at Medieval Games. |
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Photo courtesy of Pradhan Studios
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Journey School is thrilled to host Medieval Games next Wednesday, April 22, 2015. This all-day extravaganza will feature 6th grade students from 8 different Waldorf-inspired schools competing in Archery, Spear-throwing, Jousting, Dueling, and much more.
Journey Parents: Please look for an email soon detailing off-campus class events that will take place for grades K through 5 during the festivities.
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ECO-LEADERS VISIT JOURNEY
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In keeping with the theme of global education, we will end this week with a special visit by a family of eco-leaders who will share their experiences of traveling around the world using their sailboat, bikes and inner strength in order to promote environmental action. Students will learn about global climate change and the many organizations doing good work in the world. Learn more here. |
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SLOW TECH PARENTING TALK: 4/28
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On Tuesday, April 28 (please note date correction) from 6-7:30pm, Patti Connolly and Diana Graber will present a final session on SlowTechParenting: How to Know What's Going On Online and How Keep Your Kids Safe! This essential parenting class will be all about how to keep up with the newest developments online and how to keep your kids cyber safe and secure. This class is not to be missed! RSVP here. |
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"LAST SATURDAY" WORKSHOPS ON 4/25
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Messenger bag sewing, natural beauty products, and watercolor painting will be showcased at this month's "Last Saturday" Workshops. Please visit theoakandtheacorn.net for details or sign up online. |
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