Exploring Globalization in MYP1 & MYP2

Students in MYP1 and MYP2 are currently studying units on globalization. MYP1 is exploring what it means to be a global citizen and how individuals have the power and choice to make a positive difference towards important global issues. MYP2 is exploring how globalization has influenced and shaped the modern world, including both the opportunities and challenges it provides in terms of technology, culture, economy, politics, and so forth. 

I am happy so far with how the students are performing in class. As students in an international school, most of them show a natural understanding of globalization, its relevance in the 21st century, and the various positive and negative aspects associated with globalization. In MYP1, the children are especially motivated by learning about different global issues and some practical ways that we can address them using the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The children are mostly engaged in class and appreciate discussing important issues such as water pollution, species extinction, deforestation, and child labour. In MYP2, the students are strong global thinkers and have impressed me already with their prior knowledge of history and geography. Their current unit is focused more on change and the various processes underlying globalization– a concept they are doing well to grasp.

After several weeks of learning about this material, students are beginning their individual projects for this unit. I have provided each class with an open-ended research question to investigate (different for each class), and an action plan for them to follow in order to answer the question. Students will choose their own topic and conduct an in-depth investigation of their topic, followed by a presentation in a format of their choosing. Providing students with opportunities to input their voice and choice into their projects is very important to me.

I am really excited to see what the students come up with for their projects… the sky’s the limit! Next month I will make another blog-post about how their projects turned out, including some samples of student work! 🙂