The UN is Elementary

May 9 to May 31, 2006

In an effort to bring international education to elementary school students, UNA-USA has created a program called the UN is Elementary. This program, funded by the Better World Fund, is designed to teach third-, fourth- and fifth-grade New York City public school students the inner workings of the United Nations. In May of 2006, three classes in New York City public elementary schools were chosen to participate in this program.

The 2006 UN is Elementary program was composed of four parts:

1- Curriculum
The UN is Elementary provides a short curriculum for use in the classroom. The four lessons are grade-specific and apply to state and citywide standards. Each lesson comes complete with handouts and graphic organizers. The lessons are "the United Nations," "Issues in the United Nations," "Preparing for a Visit to the UN" and "Follow-up Activities."

2- International Student Visit
On the morning of Wednesday, May 17 six high school students from one of six foreign countries visited the classrooms of the three participating elementary schools. These international students spoke to the students about their respective countries. They arrived prepared with a one-hour mini-presentation that included acitivities demonstrating their cultures, languages, customs, music and foods. At the end, students asked questions and spoke with the international visitors. The participating international students were from the Global Classrooms programs in England, India, Spain, China, Lebanon and Israel.

3- UN Tour
Participating elementary classes received free tickets (valued at $8 per person) for a tour of United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, May 31. The tour began at 10:00am and lasted approximately 50 minutes. Students learned about the different organs and bodies of the United Nations. They also visited various conference rooms including the Great Hall.

4- The UN is Elementary Special Event
After the guided tour of the United Nations, classes were invited to attend a brief assembly in Conference Room 8. Mrs. Nane Annan, the Secretary-General's wife, served as the keynote speaker, sharing a slide show. She also regaled the students with stories from her travels to over 90 countries. She spoke on globally important topics including human rights, education and equality.

Afterwards, each class shared a presentation conveying what they had learned through the UN is Elementary curriculum. PS 109x performed a skit about how the United Nations promotes human rights, specifically citing action during South Africa apartheid. Six students from PS 197m united to deliver a moving speech integrating quotes and poems from human rights activitst, including Secretary-General Annan. Finally the Bronx Lighthouse Charter School demonstrated how the UN reaches people on a global scale, such as building schools for children, maintaining peace and supplying clean drinking water in rural areas.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan even stopped by to greet the children and share his words of wisdom. Finally, five NBA and WNBA players joined the fun, including Dkembe Mutombo, Samuel Dalembert, Jerome Williams, Bill Russell and Teresa Weatherspoon. They spoke to the students about their partnership with UNICEF, raising funds and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. They also inspired the students to work hard in school and make a difference in their communities.

We thank all the participating UN is Elementary schools and special guests for joining us at this monumental event!