This is a method that introduces students to different cultures of the world. These books can be informational or for pure entertainment. The types of books you bring in should be determined by the age group of your students. Students in grades K-6 can benefit from picture books and fairy tales found in other countries. Some good books for this age level include: "How My Parents Learned to Eat" by I. R. Friedman, "The Gold Coin" by A. F Ada and "Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know" by Raja Sharma. Older students are generally introduced to literature from other parts of the world. However, what you can do different is ask students to think about why the characters make the decisions they do. Does it have anything to do with their culture? This will get students thinking in a broader sense. They will have to compare their own lives to those in the stories.
Students have the opportunity to learn a lot from field trips. Taking trips to local nonprofit organizations shows students that things can be done to help others in need. Grassroot organizations are very good at showing students how they can help make a difference in the world. Organizations like homeless shelters, the humane society and local food bank locations can provide students with a lot of information. Take that information back into the classroom to discuss what they saw that day. Have students write a journal entry on what they saw and heard at the field trip location. Have them answer the questions, "How does this organization help others?" and "What skills do the organizers possess that enable them to do their job?"
Learning how to write is an important task students must learn while in school. English and literature teachers often assign book reports and essays. Reach out and bring current events into the classroom. Assign students to write a persuasive essay on a hot, controversial topic. The paper must use evidence to support the author's stand on the topic. Not only will students learn about what's going on in the world, but they will be able to sort through their own feelings and find where they stand on topics affecting the world.
When students are allowed to pick their own projects, they have the opportunity to choose something they are good at. They may even feel strongly about it. If your students are having a hard time coming up with their own ideas, generate a list of projects for them to choose from. Projects could include: researching about rainforest depletion, constructing a science project that demonstrates an oil spill, studying cancer research and documenting the latest medical breakthroughs. This gives power over to the students and allows them to experience something they are good at. The end result should be a very positive one for all your students.