Search for Resources

Children of the World

Elementary

Description

Children of the World visits young people in eight countries. This adventure provides an opportunity for primary students to face challenges, confront other realities and as with any journey, deepen their understanding of themselves as citizens who can help initiate change.

In completing the eight educational activities set out in this guide, students will be able to better understand the issues, propose solutions and ultimately take action!

Students will:

  • Discover how children live in each part of the world
  • Gather information about each child in the case studies (housing, education, etc)
  • Compare their  reality with that of the eight children from other parts of the world
  • Take measures to resolve the problems faced by children around the world.
  • Write a story or a song, complete an artistic creation (painting, drawing, dance, play, puppet theatre, shadow puppets, mime) that tells how they will change the reality of a child in need.
  • Look for possible actions to participate in with organizations and agencies that help children.

The resource provides case histories, fact sheets, cultural files and websites for each country explored.

 

General Assessment

What skills does this resource explicitly teach?

  • exercising critical judgment
  • co-operating with others
  • communicating appropriately
  • collecting information
  • problem solving

Strengths

  • Excellent background information for teachers (fact sheets, case studies and cultural files for each country presented)
  • The resources is thorough and easy to use
  • The activities employ a number of strategies to
    help pupils make their own discoveries, determine the causes and consequences of these problems and issues, and try to find solutions.
  • Activities provided to enhance the learning
  • Activities are age-appropriate and interesting

Weaknesses

  • No adaptations for students with learning difficulties
  • No outdoor activities
  • Does not provided rubrics or assessment tools

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Analyzing diverse worldviews and experiences fosters our ability and willingness to live well together.
        • Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world.
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number: Quantity is measured with numbers that enable counting, labelling, comparing, and operating.
        • Organizing and representing quantitative information develops additive and multiplicative thinking to make meaningful connections and support problem solving
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
        • Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Rights, roles, and responsibilities shape our identity and help us build healthy relationships with other
        • Identity and Families
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world.
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Stories and other texts connect us to ourselves, our families, and our communities
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Stories and other texts help us learn about ourselves, our families, and our communities
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Fractions are a type of number that can represent quantities
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Creative expression is a means to explore and share one’s identity within a community.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Fractions and decimals are types of numbers that can represent quantities
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Power and Agency
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Power and Agency
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting with Others
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Power and Agency
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Music
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Power and Agency
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Communities of the World: Communities of the World
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Music
        • Visual Arts
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Speaking & Listening
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Place
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Speaking & Listening
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environments
        • Groups
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Speaking & Listening
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environments
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
        • Shape & Space
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Provincial Identity: Peoples
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 1: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting and Belonging: Connecting with Others
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 2 : Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 3: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Develop and Celebrate Community
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Communities of the World: Communities of the World
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 4: Visual Art
        • Arts Education: Creative expression is a means to explore and share one’s identity within a community.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Fractions and decimals are types of numbers that can represent quantities
        • Number
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Exploring Our World
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Celebrate & Build Community
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Being Together: Global Connections
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting and Belonging: Global Connections
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Connections
        • Communities in Canada
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Develop and Celebrate Community
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting With the World: Global Connections
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Problem Solving and Innovating: Overall Expectations
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People and Environments: The Local Community
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People and Environments: Global Communities
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce media works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce media works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce individual works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arithmetic
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce media works in the visual arts
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arithmetic
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Exploring Our World
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Units & Outcomes
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts 1: Critical/Responsive
        • Arts Education 1: Creative/Productive
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 2: Creative/Productive
        • Arts Education 2: Critical/Responsive
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 4: Cultural/Historical
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Number
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
        • Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Rights, roles, and responsibilities shape our identity and help us build healthy relationships with other
        • Identity and Families
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world.
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us
        • Everyone has a unique story to share.
        • Stories and other texts connect us to ourselves, our families, and our communities
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Stories and other texts help us learn about ourselves, our families, and our communities
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Fractions are a type of number that can represent quantities
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Creative expression is a means to explore and share one’s identity within a community.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Fractions and decimals are types of numbers that can represent quantities

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (2)

  • Community-Building and Participation
  • General Guide to Taking Action

Human Health & Environment (3)

  • Access to Health Care
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Quality of Life

Human Rights (4)

  • Education
  • Poverty
  • Social Justice
  • War and Peace

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle Rating Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives Very Good
  • The resource helps students learn about basic needs and rights and to develop a view of the world around them. Students learn that many children are denied basic rights necessary to survive and develop to their potential. They learn that wants and needs are different for different people. The students are not influenced to accept any particular point of view.
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
  • Satisfactory: absence of bias towards any one point of view
  • Good: students consider different points of view regarding issues, problems discussed
  • Very good: based on the consideration of different views, students form opinions and  take an informed position
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions Good

The resource addresses the economic, environmental and social dimensions of the issues.

Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions:

Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.

  • Satisfactory: resource supports the examination of  these dimensions
  • Good:  resource explicitly examines the interplay of these dimensions
  • Very Good:  a systems-thinking approach is encouraged to examine these three dimensions
Respects Complexity Good

The activities employ a number of strategies to help pupils make their own discoveries, determine the causes and consequences of the problems and issues and try to find solutions. This “pedagogy of hope” is designed to help pupils acquire knowledge and a variety of competencies through various activities involving co-operation.

Respects Complexity:

The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected.

Acting on Learning Good

The resource includes a lesson entitled I Care about my World, I'm Taking Action!  It has students look for possible actions with organizations and agencies that help children. The lesson encourages students to search for action projects that do not necessarily involve fund-raising, but will emphasize citizen involvement with a desire to change the world.

Acting on Learning:

Learning moves from understanding  issues  to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community,  or for the planet

  • Satisfactory: action opportunities are included as extensions 
  • Good: action opportunities are core components of the resource
  • Very Good: action opportunities for students are well supported and intended to result in observable, positive change
Values Education Satisfactory

The resource presents opportunities to explore, discuss and debate the issues.

Values Education:

Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values.

Empathy & Respect for Humans Very Good

The students are introduced to eight children of the World and eight issues affecting their world today. In exploring the lessons in the guide, each student will be able to better understand these issues, propose solutions and ultimately take action!

Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.).
Personal Affinity with Earth Poor/Not considered
  • Not considered in this resource.
Personal Affinity with Earth:

Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.  

  • Satisfactory: connection is made to the natural world
  • Good: fosters appreciation/concern for the natural world
  • Very Good: fosters stewardship though practical and respectful experiences out-of-doors 
Locally-Focused Learning Good

The resource activities enable students to be an integral part of the search for solutions and helps them become proactive and move into action, changing the world one small step at a time – and all the while, learning!

Locally-Focused Learning:

Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community. 

  • Satisfactory: learning is made relevant to the lives of the learners
  • Good: learning is made relevant and has a local focus
  • Very Good: learning is made relevant, local and takes place ‘outside’ , in the community 
Past, Present & Future Good
Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle Rating Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction Very Good

The activities employ a number of strategies to help pupils make their own discoveries, determine the causes and consequences of these problems and issues and try to find solutions.

Open-Ended Instruction :

Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer.

Integrated Learning Good
  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Art
Integrated Learning:

Learning brings together content and skills  from more than one  subject area

  • Satisfactory: content from a number of different  subject areas is readily identifiable
  • Good:  resource is appropriate for use in more than one subject area
  • Very Good:  the lines between subjects are blurred 
Inquiry Learning Good

The activities employ a number of strategies to help pupils make their own discoveries, determine the causes and consequences of these problems and issues and try to find solutions.

Inquiry Learning:

Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.   

  • Satisfactory: Students are provided with questions/problems to solve and some direction on how to arrive at solutions.
  • Good: students, assisted by the teacher clarify the question(s) to ask and the process to follow to arrive at solutions.  Sometimes referred to as Guided Inquiry
  • Very Good:  students generate the questions and assume much of the responsibility for how to solve them.  . Sometimes referred to as self-directed learning.

 

Differentiated Instruction Satisfactory

The activities allow students to acquire knowledge and a variety of competencies through various tasks involving co-operation.
No accommodations are suggested for those with learning difficulties.

Differentiated Instruction:

Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.

  • Satisfactory:  includes a variety of instructional approaches
  • Good: addresses  the needs of visual, auditory &  kinesthetic learners
  • Very Good: also includes strategies for learners with difficulties
Experiential Learning Satisfactory
Experiential Learning:

Authentic learning experiences are provided

  • Satisfactory: learning takes place through ‘hands-on’ experience or simulation
  • Good: learning involves direct experience in a ‘real world context’
  • Very good: learning involves ‘real world experiences’ taking place’ beyond the school walls.
Cooperative Learning Satisfactory

Some of the activities involve cooperative learning.

Cooperative Learning:

Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.

  • Satisfactory:  students work in groups
  • Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught and practiced
  • Very Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught, practiced and assessed
Assessment & Evaluation Satisfactory
  • Some assessment techniques are suggested.
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc.
Peer Teaching Satisfactory
Peer Teaching:

Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.

  • Satisfactory: incidental teaching that arises from cooperative learning, presentations, etc.
  • Good or Very Good: an opportunity is intentionally created to empower students to teach other students/community members. The audience is somehow reliant on the students' teaching (students are not simply ‘presenting')
Case Studies Very Good

The resource provides eight thematic case histories, each exploring an issue through personal testimonial and facts.

Case Studies:

Relevant case studies are included.  Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore  concepts in an authentic context.

Locus of Control Good

A few suggestions for additional activities have been included
for each activity.  Others are available on the website.

Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue.

A project of LSF Newsletter Sign-up