Summer Institutes on Global Understanding and Cultural Proficiency

From http://primarysource.org

Here are two summer institutes from Primary Source of interest to K-12 teachers and administrators:

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Teaching for Global Understanding in the 21st Century
July 22-26

Educators are increasingly aware that the challenges of our changing world will require students to think and learn in new ways. In addition to teaching core academic content, our schools need to cultivate key skills: global awareness, critical thinking, media literacy, collaboration, intercultural communication, technological ability, and civic engagement. This course will explore the importance of such skills and will build a case for re-envisioning how we prepare students for an interconnected world. Participants will examine the global economy, the environment, health, social justice, and peace & conflict resolution. Interested participants should be willing to take on a leadership role in their districts and to be advocates for global education across disciplines and grade levels.

Open to all K-12 teachers and administrators

For more details go to http://primarysource.org/globaledsummer

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Cultural Proficiency for Today's Diverse Schools: A Multidisciplinary Approach
August 5-9

How are new patterns of immigration, residence, and family structure reshaping the nation's demographics and those of local schools and communities? What do "culturally proficient" schools and classrooms look like in this shifting context? In an institute designed for teachers, administrators, and other school staff, we'll take a multidisciplinary and thematic approach as we discuss cultural and racial diversity in schools today. Focal themes will include religion, culture, and language; student and school culture and peer relationships; families, parents, and school involvement; and the legal and socioeconomic challenges facing refugee and immigrant youth and communities. Drawing insights from education research, social policy, and the law, as well as literature, history, the arts, and global studies, we'll gain a deeper understanding of students within their home and community worlds, and develop ideas about how better to connect with them. Classroom practices and school policies that promote achievement for students of all backgrounds will be foregrounded throughout the institute. A field site visit and small team research assignment will be key components of the course.

Open to all K-12 teachers and administrators

For more details go to http://primarysource.org/cultural-proficiency-for-todays-diverse-schools