(NC)-Getting kids to pay attention at school and do homework can be tough; especially when they are learning about things that seem far away and don't impact their daily lives. Here are some ideas to get students engaged in the bigger world they live in:
Teach from a child's perspective: Learning about foreign countries can be hard for kids to grasp, but what about sharing the life of a child who actually lives in that country? Websites like www.ccfcanda.ca offer a whole host of stories and information from and about children in different countries. You'll be surprised how easily kids here can relate to children on the other side of the world.
Rally them around a cause: Learning about reading, writing and arithmetic everyday can sometimes be boring for kids. But educating them about a particular issue facing children in an area of the world will peak their minds as well as their hearts. Lots of classrooms are getting involved in recognizing children's issues like child labour.
Build a sense of teamwork: Have kids do more than just learn about issues. Encourage them to get involved. Organizing a fundraiser around something like providing clean water in Africa is a great way to get your students together and integrates learning in a fun and meaningful way.
More international resources for teachers and students are available online at www.ccfcanada.ca.
Credit: www.newscanada.com