Linda Simon
Take tons of photos (a given!) and collect cultural artifacts, information and souvenirs. Speak with locals when possible to learn about their daily life and customs.
I teach at two large, extremely diverse elementary schools in the suburbs of Washington, DC. We have students from all over the world. Since I work with all students, K-6, there are several ways that I plan to apply my GEEO experience to my classrooms. I would like to share photos and souvenirs from the trips to help students gain a better understanding of other cultures, and to help validate students from those countries, especially those relatively new to the United States who are still learning English. I also hope to use some of the folktales and fables from these countries with my students when we do a unit on Aesop's Fables, as well as support my 5th graders with their county-wide Global Awareness Technology Project. Finally, both my schools have annual International Nights, so I would love to use photos and souvenirs to contribute to the displays for these countries.
I plan to read as much as I can about the history and culture of each of the countries we visit.
