Ms. Graff's Essential Five: Global Education Resources

Ms.Graff's Essential Five: Global Education Resources

Still craving more global education tools? These are my top five essential resources—the ones I reach for constantly to spark curiosity and connection in my classroom.

#1: Place Based Education Edutopia

Global education is not just about studying distant cultures—it is about empowering students to engage with the world right outside their classroom doors. Through Place-Based Education (PBE), students become active investigators of their own communities.

Ready to transform your neighborhood into a living classroom? Click here or click on the embedded page to the right to explore Edutopia’s curated collection of videos, activities, and real-world examples to get started.

#2: National Geographic Teaching Perspectives

National Geographic provides educators with a toolkit to bring the world into the classroom, regardless of the subject matter. Central to this collection is the Teaching Perspective Tool, which challenges students to look at global issues through a multi-dimensional lens.

Learners are guided by structured questions to explore the spatial and geographical significance of their topics. This approach fosters critical thinking and helps learners understand the complex "where" and "why" behind global events. Click here or click on the emebedded page to the right to explore this website.

#3: The World Is As Big Or Small As You Make

This video from The World We Live In demonstrates that global connections can be impactful. By showcasing U.S. schools engaging in virtual exchanges using a single computer, it illustrates that meaningful collaboration is possible even with limited resources. It serves as a powerful reminder that technology can bridge the gap of thousands of miles, keeping learners connected across the globe. There are not specific curricular resources from this organization. If you have a moment this video might give you some ideas of how to integrate exchanges right in your educational space.

#4: Global Competence Matrices

The Global Competence Matrix—developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ EdSteps Project in partnership with the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning—is a versatile tool for integrating global education across any curriculum. Organized into four core domains (Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action), the matrix provides general pedagogical guidance alongside subject-specific alignments. Explore the sections below to see how you can adapt these competencies to your specific content area and classroom environment. Click here or click on the embedded documents to the right to explore all of the rubrics and matrices for Global Education based on your subject area.

worldsavvyglobalcompetencematrix2014.pdf

Global Matrix Rubric: General Overview of Skills and Concepts

global_comp_content-area_matrices_pg_7.pdf

Global Matrices: Subject Aligned

#5: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework and activities designed for any learning space. By focusing on 17 core goals—addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and justice—we can empower students to build a more sustainable future for everyone. Watch the embedded video to the right or click here to be directed to the website link.

Disclaimer - This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the participant's own and do not represent the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, the U.S. Department of State, or IREX.

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