Fernando M. Reimers et al.

Unit 2.2

Topic Growing Up in Different Cultures

Theme Diverse cultural perspectives, curiosity about global affairs,
cross—cultural perspective taking, empathy, commitment to
equality, variation within cultural groups, poverty, the use
of evidence, and the use of technology

Region India, Japan, and the world (as reflected in the countries
represented by partner schools)

Length Ten weeks (four activities and fourteen sessions)

Students examine how children grow up in various parts ofthe world,
including the rights and responsibilities that children have. Beginning
with themselves and with their peers in their partner school, students
examine how children spend their time and their rights and responsi—
bilities at home and in school. They also define and give examples of
some of the rights and responsibilities that students as citizens have
in school (e.g., students have the right to vote in class elections and
have the responsibility to follow rules). Students then learn about
growing up in various cultures and learn about how different de—

mands and opportunities influence school attendance.

Goals and Objectives

1. Learn: Learn similarities and differences in how children live in dif—
ferent cultures

2. Inspire students to take interest in various cultures, in how children
live and grow up in different cultures, and in communicating with
them using modern telecommunication technologies

3. Act by describing the rights and responsibilities of children in dif—
ferent cultures and by sharing those descriptions with students in
other parts of the world.

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