Global & Cultural Understanding

Boston Early Civics Curriculum

Blog describing curriculum developed by Mardell and others in the Boston Public School kindergartens that recognizes children are citizens. And, examples from BPS K2: Kindergartners' ideas for making Boston a fairer and more interesting place for children.

Core Learning Journey Curricula

Out of Eden Learn is Project Zero’s unique online learning community designed to accompany Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden Walk. Classes, after school programs, and young people from around the world are clustered into small, diverse learning groups to undergo a “learning journey” together. They complete weekly activities, post their responses, and read and respond to others’ posts. Our community is open to all schools and students, free of charge. These curricular units guide participants through "the Present and the Local" and "the Past and the Global" elements of Out of Eden Learn.

Educating for Global Competence: Learning Redefined for an Interconnected World

The world in which today’s students will live and work is fundamentally different from the one in which their parents and teachers grew up. Rapid economic, technological and social changes are creating a world that is ever more interconnected and interdependent. Globalization of economies, the digital revolution, mass migration, and the prospect of climate instability are triggering new concerns and demanding a new kind of graduate. At the dawn of the 21st century we are recasting our understanding of economics, communication, security, cultural identity, citizenship, and the environment. There is an increasing call for a more powerful and relevant learning in response to these new demands and opportunities (Gardner, 2007, Reimers, 2009, Stewart, 2007).

Learning that matters: A review of the research on the qualities of school leadership...

From the introduction: What does it mean to lead learning that matters in schools? This whitepaper aims to spark discussion about this question by examining the research-based qualities of school leadership that support student learning. It reviews concepts of school leadership in which leadership for learning is defined as the social behaviors of envisioning and influencing learning that matters in schools. Although leaders in positions of power can display leadership behaviors, others involved in the school – including parents, teachers, and students – also play pivotal leadership roles. The whitepaper reviews two kinds of research-based school leadership models that differ in the nature of learning that is required in order to reach the goals of school change: technical leadership models and adaptive leadership models. Though the specific leadership behaviors in each model are qualitatively different, research suggests that there are three types of key leadership behaviors in each: setting direction, developing people, and creating culture. The paper illustrates how these behaviors are manifested in the adaptive challenges faced by the Big Picture Schools.

Out of Eden Learn Information Packet

Out of Eden Learn invites young people and educators to:

- Slow down to observe the world carefully and to listen attentively to others

- Exchange stories and perspectives about people, place, and identity

- Reflect on how their own lives connect to bigger human stories

This information pack offers samples of work from OOEL and offers the methodology behind the OOEL experience.