International Studies Day

This was always one of my favorite days. We didn’t do it enough. Basically, each classroom(or grade level) in the school drew the name of a country from a hat. Classes were required to learn about that country and prepare an immersive, cultural classroom experience for International Studies Day, aka “Countries Around the World.”

Classrooms generally prepared digital media presentations, music, food, and more! They dressed like the culture they were studying. Sometimes this event was held during the day, but the bravest of administrators held it at night when parents could attend.

This is a form of project based learning where publishing student work was the actual assessment. How did they publish their work? Their learning was represented by the quality of experience that their classroom designed and built. You hear me talk often about Bloom’s Taxonomy. In this case, students applied, analyzed, evaluated and created. Literature and social studies are integrated in this scenario. Though, science and social studies can often be incorporated. Generally, immersive units like this last two weeks at minimum or can even last as long as entire nine weeks.

Why is this important? It is fun! It is hands on learning. Students are immersed in a multicultural experiences which involve fellowship and learning. Even better, it is both student and teacher guided. You won’t find a multiple choice assessment near this unit of study. This is learning which lasts a lifetime, and helps bind us together. Experiential learning inspires students, and makes them think of the world in a way in which they hadn’t prior.

ProTip: Conservatives, due to inaccurate information from Leftist news sources, are often pegged as isolationists. We are not. Nixon worked to establish relations with China. Reagan brought down the Iron Curtain and re-engaged Russia both economically and geopolitically with Western civilization. Indeed, most conservatives who I know…are actually quite respectful other cultures and hold their great accomplishments in admiration.