| The Global Classrooms® Curriculum  Since its inception in 2000, Global Classrooms staff and outside experts have created four curricular units: Peacekeeping, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, and the new and timely unit, The Economics of Globalization.
The Economics of Globalization focuses on international finance, trade and development and will offer students a comprehensive understanding of the world marketplace – a highly valuable education vital to their futures in this new era of globalization.
The Economics of Globalization student guide is presented in four colorful magazines that cover each of the curriculum’s main themes: globalization, economics, trade, and finance. Each magazine has seven feature pieces that repeat throughout the four magazines. One of the student favorites is the “How the World Connects” articles, which use an object familiar to students, such as a t-shirt or Apple iPod, to illustrate connections in the global economy. The student guides can be purchased here.
The comprehensive teacher’s guide includes the articles from all four magazines, as well as supplementary readings and suggested classroom activities. The teacher’s guide contains an introduction for educators to help them determine which articles to introduce in the classroom. In addition, there are several paths through the curriculum to accommodate different reading levels and instructional goals. Unique Model UN simulations form the culminating lesson for each unit. The Peacekeeping, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development units are divided into two parts: a teacher’s guide and a student resource guide.
Curriculum Lesson Plans At the heart of each curriculum unit are step-by-step lesson plans that begin with an introduction to the United Nations and culminate with a simulation of the Security Council, Commission on Sustainable Development or Commission on Human Rights. All lessons are aligned with standards in: - Social studies (from the National Council for Social Studies);
- English language arts (from the International Reading Association/National Council for Teachers of English);
- Geography (from the National Geography Content Standards); and
- Civics and government (from the US Department of Education).
Lesson plans incorporate instructional strategies based on "best practice" methodologies in teaching social studies and literacy.
In conjunction with the lessons, the Reference/Resource sections provide extra support materials, primary documents, a glossary of terms and acronyms, and Internet resources. Global Classrooms Curriculum Comparison Chart | Curriculum Unit | Peacekeeping | Sustainable Development | Human Rights Unit |
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| UN Organ/Committee | Security Council 15 member states | Commission on Sustainable Development Member states and major groups represented by various organizations | Commission on Human Rights Member states and civil society represented by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) | | Grade Level | 7 - 12 | 9 - 12 | 7 - 12
With adapted resources designed specifically for middle school classes | | Target Audience | Classes new to Model UN- Teachers of Social Studies, English Language Arts, Humanities and Leadership
- New Model UN teams and clubs preparing for Model UN conferences
- Model UN teams with limited travel resources
| Classes experienced in Model UN- Teachers of Social Studies, English Language Arts, Humanities, Leadership and Science
- Experienced MUN teams and clubs preparing for MUN Conferences
- Experienced MUN teams with limited travel resources
| Classes new to and experienced in Model UN- Teachers of Social Studies, English Language Arts, Humanities and Leadership
- New and experienced Model UN teams and clubs preparing for Model UN conferences
- Model UN teams with limited travel resources
| | Scenarios and Issues | - Essequibo Valley (Guyana & Venezuela)
- India and Pakistan
- Great Lakes Region (Rwanda DR of Congo Burundi and Tanzania)
- Military Confrontation in the Taiwan Strait (China & the US)
Scenarios vary in difficulty. | - Protection of the Atmosphere
- Freshwater Resources
- Health
- Combating Poverty
- Tourism
Issues are classified under economic and/or environmental.
Simulations of the CSD are based on one environmental issue and one economic issue. | - Migrant Workers
- Arbitrary Arrest & Detention
- HIV/AIDS
- Women’s Education
- Torture
- Children in Armed Conflict
Each issue is based upon a human rights convention of the United Nations.
Teachers should select scenarios based upon curriculum goals, as well as the interest and maturity level of their students. | | Content Materials | - United Nations system
- UN Security Council
- Multilateral conflicts & disputes
- Causes and effects of war
- National histories, political and economic systems, and religious and cultural values
- Procedural rules
- UN resolutions
| - UN Economic and Social Council
- UN Commission on Sustainable Development
- Interrelatedness of Sustainable Development issues
- Role of Member States
- Role of major groups
- Programs, projects and legislation that address sustainable development
- CSD decisions
| - United Nations system
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- UN Commission on Human Rights
- Role of civil society
- National histories, political and economic systems, and religious and cultural values
- Procedural rules
- UN resolutions
| | Skills Developed | - Researching, writing, public speaking, negotiating, caucusing, critical thinking, cooperative learning
- Conflict resolution
| - Researching, writing, public speaking, negotiating, caucusing, critical thinking, cooperative learning
- Consensus Building
- Questioning Skills
| - Researching, writing, public speaking, negotiating, caucusing, critical thinking, cooperative learning
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