Internationally Minded in the Primary Years Programme Classroom

What does it mean to be internationally minded? What does this look like in a classroom?

Miss Gangloff’s fourth-grade class is focusing on the water cycle during their current unit of inquiry. As the class studies precipitation and condensation as part of the water cycle, they learn how all the water on Earth is connected. They learn about salt water and fresh water and look at how water affects the environment and its people. The mistreatment of the environment can affect other parts of the world anywhere on the globe, causing some cultures to have little to no access to clean water. The way of life for these communities is quite different than their own. 

Miss Gangloff uses books like Ocean in Your Bathtub by Seth Fishman to help her students develop an international mindset that acknowledges how our choices affect the world’s environment. From shore to suburb, the ocean connects all of us in unexpected ways – through the weather, our water, our food sources, and more. This title takes the reader on a journey to explore how the Earth’s five oceans affect daily life for everyone on the planet and present surprising information about the ocean ecosystem. Miss Gangloff’s first goal for her students is to understand the bigger picture and how their small actions affect the world. 

Miss Gangloff uses Ocean in Your Bathtub to integrate concepts connected to the water cycle with the impact students have on Earth’s water. Later, she shares the book Fresh Air, Clean Water by Megan Clendenan. Her class hears stories of kids worldwide fighting for reform to improve environmental health, making connections to the overuse of water and other natural resources, inspiring them to make a positive difference. The class collaborates with the community of peers, teachers, principals, and community to act on the need for clean water in global communities. They tackle this issue by researching and designing ways to filter water. They even begin a fundraiser to help support a community in Uganda to install a water filter for their community. 

PYP students develop a global mindset that recognizes the humanness of all people through identifying and understanding differences and exploring other customs and traditions. Activities like Miss Gangloff’s help move students beyond the simple understanding of simpler artifacts like flags, food, and celebrations. Globally minded students have a deep understanding of different cultures and understand that their actions can affect them. They choose to make a difference. 

International Baccalaureate^® (IB) PYP classrooms are designed to teach international (global) mindedness throughout the curriculum. An international mindset is essential to learning and promotes understanding and empathizing with people of all backgrounds and taking impactful action. 

Follett has many solutions that can help engage students in developing an international mindset. Visit the Follett Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website to find stories and voices from different cultures, abilities, backgrounds, and locations. This site includes book lists that connect to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These titles are focused on topics like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice, which dovetail with the ideals of having an international mindset. 

Follett offers many solutions for a PYP teacher, such as mentor texts, small group instruction, independent reading, and collaborative learning experiences. When you are ready, we are here for you. You can connect with your Follett consultant (https://follettcontent.com/contact-us) or work with our Curations Team for a customized resource list to fit your needs.. 

Read more from Lori Woods:

• Using Books to Address PYP Agency and Self-Efficacy 
• Learning and Teaching: A Strong Alloy in the PYP Classroom  

Lori Woods
Lori Woods is a master’s level educator with ten years of classroom experience, primarily teaching Grade 3. Most recently, she taught for six years at an International Baccalaureate school, where she served on the IB reauthorization team, ELA pilot team, and technology committee. Lori also presented at the 2021 IB Global Conference. When she’s not working, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her family. Lori lives in South Central Pennsylvania with her husband, three children, and two dogs.