Journal #7

Kids Galore Helping Kids in Darfur
By Wendy Drexler

This article was a great article because it proves how easy it is to have kids in the classroom become involved in a global situation. This article discusses how a class was able to put together a web site that offered information about genocide in the Darfur region of Sadan. In this particular third grade class the students were concerned about helping these other children in Darfur. They suggested making a web site. The teacher surly could not refuse but wondered where she would find the time. The teacher decided to incorporate as many curricular areas as possible which included the use of technology, reading, writing, language arts, and social studies. She also divided the class into groups and gave each group a different task. To integrate the curriculum she had them writing business letters, doing an internet scavenger hunt to find information, interviewing through podcasts, and daily computer work which improved their skills. The children were then divided up into 3 different areas: researcher, writer or illustrator. Each group worked in tandem on one of the six main topic areas and all children had the opportunity to write a formal letter which included a persuasive paragraph.

Question 1: Can this be done in any classroom?
Answer 1: If children find interest in something specific, such as the ones in the article, then it would be a great idea to do in the classroom, no matter what grade level. The author gave many great ideas on how to incorporate creating a website into the curriculum. I believe in meeting the needs of the children and if creating a website will help meet their needs, the teacher is responsible for applying curriculum to fit that need.

Question 2: What are some other ways kids can help on a global level?
Answer 2: There are so many possibilities, from podcasts, websites, webcams, bloggs, and wiikies. Any of these can be accessible and easy to learn to use. It is important to get kids involved on a global scale that way they have more of an urge to help and want to make a difference. It becomes more of a personal experience, especially when they are helping kids their own age.