Around the World

    Right now we are in a unit we call "Fiction of the World" where our big idea asks the students to consider: Is Canada a fortunate country? We are looking at texts that are set in different countries around the world. So far, we have looked at African countries like Egypt and Tanzania. We have read fictional books that depict life in these countries. Our students are learning that these stories do not reflect the country as a whole, but rather a specific area, showing how some people live. They can see that Canada is very much the same: not everyone in Canada has the same lifestyle and privileges as everyone else. It really gets them thinking about our big idea. 

    This unit fits so nicely with the Grade Two science unit called Features of Communities Around the World. The Ontario curriculum summarizes this unit by saying, "Students develop their awareness of physical and human geography by examining contemporary global communities. They use map, globe, and research skills to compare the cultural and physical features of a variety of communities. Students explore how the environment influences people’s lives, and begin to recognize that the lifestyles of people in other countries may be both similar to and different from their own" (The Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies, Grades 1 to 6, 37).

    The kids are writing postcards from the countries we "visit", writing summaries of the stories we read, and making a decision as to whether or not Canada is a fortunate country. To make it even more exciting, I made them all little passports. For each country we visit, they fill in the little information pages. I splurged on the pictures by using my own coloured ink for their identification pictures. It just looked better that way. Every time we go to a new country, they get their passport stamped. For those who have never travelled or even seen a passport, this process was very exciting! 

    I'm in the works of arranging a classroom Skype date with a friend who also teaches Grade One over in Egypt. They are six hours ahead of us, so finding a time that works for everyone is tricky. Hopefully we can make it happen! It's not everyday you Skype kids in Egypt while you're at school. Click the picture for your FREE copy!

Cut and assemble into a little book. Include a copy of the stamped page for each country visited.

A book we read to learn about life in Tanzania, written by Tololwa M. Mollel

Template for the story summary and the text to self connection

Postcard template