While the research shows that learning best takes place in smaller learning communities with flexible schedules and project-based learning, the current reality is that most teachers (especially high school) just do not have that luxury.  Most teachers today are locked into a schedule of 6 to 8 class periods a day, 45-50 minutes per class.

The purpose of this Teacher’s Guide is to provide teachers, even those with a 45 minute class, with tools they can use to make their classroom as 21^st century as possible. 

2010 marks the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day.  More and more individuals, businesses and communities take an active interest in protecting the environment.  We wanted to celebrate Earth Day by providing teachers with a variety of adaptable classroom activities and projects which help students to become more knowledgeable about the environment, which integrate the standards and teach 21^st century skills.  K-12, all disciplines.

This Teacher’s Guide provides teachers and curriculum directors with specific practices for designing curriculum and incorporating classroom practices supporting the “green revolution”.  Students today are concerned about the environment, and they love the opportunity to make a difference.  You can teach so many standards through the ideas in this book, and you will find that student motivation, and therefore, student achievement increase dramatically.  K-12, all disciplines.

Project-based learning is the best avenue for authentic student learning and achievement.  However, it does take some planning and preparation, from writing the curriculum for the project to daily lesson planning and student assessment.  This Teacher’s Guide will serve as a template for planning your project.

After School Programs are an excellent avenue for expanding the learning opportunities for students.  We know that a growing number of students go home to empty houses every day.  We know that when the bell rings at the end of the school day learning doesn’t stop.  This Teacher’s Guide answers the questions:  How can we create relevant learning experiences for students outside the regular school day – after school, weekends and summers?  How can we design a program that meets the diverse needs, interests and talents of our students?  How can we create collaborations with the community to assist us in developing the highest quality program?  What does the research tell us about the many excellent programs now in existence? 

Every school district – every community – needs to provide excellent after school programs.  This Teacher’s Guide will assist you in creating those programs.

This Teacher’s Guide will provide you with the latest research on how students in the 21^st century already collaborate with students and outside experts when not in school and what students’ visions are for schools of the 21^st century.  In a world of globalization, technology and increasing communications and collaboration, we must prepare our students for success. 

This Guide will help you integrate the concept of the Global Classroom into your curriculum and instruction.  Student motivation and achievement will soar.

Students will hone 21^st century skills such as communications, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving as they participate in Global Classroom projects, integrating technologies and multiple literacies of the 21^st century (such as Visual Literacy, Aural Literacy, Ecoliteracy, Financial Literacy, Emotional Literacy, Communications Literacy and many more).

This Guide will help you design effective, exciting Global Collaborative Classrooms!