Global Studies
“Twenty-first century independent schools must prepare students to be knowledgeable, compassionate citizens and effective leaders within a rapidly transforming world. This objective requires an understanding of one’s own culture while extending well beyond the boundary of the nation where instruction occurs.”
- The National Association of Independent Schools
The AOA Global Studies program offers students the opportunity to travel the world through integrated academics and co-curricular programs. It allows students to develop an understanding of self and their place in their communities from the local level to the global level, to cultivate an appreciation for others, and to become active citizens first in their local communities and then in the larger global community. Each grade level studies specific regions of the world, periods in history, or global themes, but global studies are not limited to the social studies topics. The global curriculum includes the integration, when appropriate, of environmental responsibility, social justice issues, politics, democracy, citizenship, community service, and the skills of cooperation, communication, critical thinking, and open-mindedness.
Global Studies is:
- Not another subject, but a dimension that runs through the curriculum
- Finding out about the world – past, present, future
- Learning about cultures in the U.S. as well as in the world
- Making links between local and global issues, teaching students to “think globally and act locally”
- Teaching the skills of cooperation, communication, critical thinking
- Enabling students to examine their values, attitudes, and perceptions
- Teaching open-mindedness to listen to different voices
- Creating an interest in social matters and human rights issues and promoting social justice
- Learning about politics, democracy, and citizenship
- Teaching that equality is not sameness but fairness
- Exploring the interdependence between nations and what links us together, as well as divides us
- Teaching respect, concern, and responsibility for the environment
Enrichment Center – Holidays around the World
Students learn about different holidays celebrated around the world throughout the year. This play-based program offers students many opportunities to acquire knowledge through hands-on activities and creative play. For example, in June, they celebrate Tano Day or Day of Swings from Korea. Students decorate the school swings with festive red and white streamers. A swinging contest is held while everyone sings the Tano swing song.
Pre-Kindergarten – World Cultures and Geography
Students continue studying world cultures while incorporating geography. Every student completes a project about a place visited or country relating to his/her family heritage. Students present their project to the class when he/she is child of the day.
Kindergarten – Australia
Students learn about endangered species and their habitats. They compare Australia and the U.S. including time zones, Australian Aboriginal and Native American cultures, customs, and geography.
Grade 1 – Global Perspective
Being members of many communities, first grade students understand their place in the world beginning locally and working toward a global perspective (family, neighborhood, town, state, country, continent, planet). Students study folk tales from around the world during their library time. After reading the folk tale, they draw the country’s flag in their passport. Students learn a simple greeting in that country’s native language. The year ends with an overview of world cultures culminating with an International Day. Activities include a drama performance followed by the presentation of each student’s research project on a country of their choice.
Grade 2 – Native American Cultures
Students complete a comparative study of Native American cultures. They continue learning about the early U.S. and complete and comprehensive study of the 50 states. This unit culminates with a presentation highlighting the American Revolution.
Grade 3 – Africa
Students study about life in Africa with a focus on Egypt and South Africa. The Egyptian Feast highlights an interdisciplinary showcase of learning experiences including artwork, social studies, music, math, and traditional delicacies. Their studies about South Africa end with an afternoon celebration performing African songs, native dances, and a drama presentation. Students learn Afrikaan words and discuss that apartheid means separateness.
Grade 4 – Asia
Students explore Asia. They create relief maps of Japan and the ocean floor. Everyone gets the opportunity to make sushi. In art, students complete a miniature Japanese garden. This grade level also studies Ohio, including a comparative study of Amish culture with mainstream culture.
Grade 5 – Latin American Civilization
History 5 is a study of the history and culture of Latin America. Students will begin with a study of ancient American civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, Inca and some native North American societies. They will then focus on European colonization, the era of Independence, and the development of modern Latin American nations. Students will finish the course by studying several modern nations and issues that impact the region as a whole. Topics of study include the evolution of civilization, cultural practices, government and politics, economic development, and philosophical and artistic movements. Students will have the opportunity to incorporate into the course their study of the art and language of Latin America.
Grade 6 – Ancient Civilization
Grade 7 – Western Civilization and History Art
The course of study for History 7 focuses on Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern period. Students will begin the course looking at Medieval Europe and end with European colonization in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Topics of study include cultural practices, the evolution of forms of government and economies, and philosophical and artistic movements. This course also includes a component called History-Art, which is a collaborative, interdisciplinary endeavor between the art and history teachers. Through this part of the course several units of study will bring both historical/cultural and artistic/creative depth to our understanding of the civilizations we will be studying. History 7 also includes a collaborative Medieval Feast in the fall semester.
Grade 8 – Contemporary U.S. History and Culture
Eighth grade students learn about current global issues affecting the U.S. They learn about contemporary American history and culture. Students review the Civil War and the various battles that were turning points in history.
Upper School
The focus on developing awareness of global cultures extends throughout the AOA curriculum. Once students reach the Upper School, their knowledge and continued study of world cultures will be enhanced through a more in-depth look at these cultures in combination with greater skill development as well as the building of personal relationships with students from all over the world. Students will participate in various language programs that match practical language use with a detailed study of culture and contemporary societies. Language courses, such as Mandarin and Korean, are taught by students from those nations. History, English and Art courses are designed in various ways to expose students to cultural differences and commonalities in a way that promotes knowledge and understanding. Most importantly, AOA is a global community. It is made up of students and faculty from many different nations who actively share their own culture in a learning environment that fosters empathy and respect.