Class Session #1 Global & Local Cultures & Ecologies

01. Global, Local, Glocal (25 min) [Use Handout]

1. Highlight: We are connected! What we do on one side of the world impacts the other side of the world!
2. Engage- Ask: (1) Who has family living in another town in our state? What is one way we are impacted here by what happens there? Or one way they are impacted there by what happens here? (2) Who has family living in another nation? What is one way we are impacted here by what happens there? Or one way they are impacted there by what happens here?
3. Explore: Invite students to draw a Venn Diagram with their state and another state OR their nation and another nation in separate sections of the two overlapping circles. Students record on each side actions that do not impact the other state/nation. In the middle overlapping section, students record actions that impact the other state/nation.
4. Explain: In this unit, we will explore how we are connected locallyand globally, both ecologicallyand culturally, and ways we might be more glocally generous.
   
   Awareness →→→ Appreciation →→→ Generosity
   
   Glocal Awareness: Learning about the global, local, and glocal around us! (cultures, languages, economies, etc.)
   Glocal Appreciation: Learning to appreciate the unique and similar aspects the global, local, and glocal!
   Glocal Generosity: Learning to be generous (giving, kind, sharing) across global, local, and glocal lines of difference!
5. Define Glocal: Write “Global” and “Local” and “Glocal” on three large pieces of paper. Invite three volunteers to come to the front to hold one of the three cards. Ask the class to arrange the three people in equation form: Global + Local = Glocal. Tape words in equation form up on the board. Ask the class what they think each word means, and to describe each word in a few words. Invite students to give an example of something that is “Global,” “Local,” and “Glocal.” Finally, define the words for the students.
   
   Global
   Definition: Something that relates to the whole world! (natural resources, language, culture, economy, etc.)
   Examples: Sun, ocean, wind, jeans, English language
   
   Local
   Definition: Something characteristic to a particular region (natural resource, language, culture, economy, etc.)
   Examples: Indiana Cardinal bird, a local park, California Poppy flowers, Kanzu East African dress, Dari and Pashtu languages spoken in Afghanistan
   
   Glocal
   Definition: Something that impacts or reflects both the global and the local Examples: (Brazilian rainforest creates oxygen for the world; Yoga is from India and popular across the U.S.; Pizza originates in Italy and is popular around the world; African-American gospel music popular in Japan; Tapioca Taiwanese tea in the U.S.)
6. Define Cultural Heritage and Ecological Heritage: Ask students to try to define “Heritage” [inherited across generations] and “Cultural Heritage” [ways of living inherited across generations]. Explain definitions listed below. Present the concept of “Ecology” [biodiversity, or all of the diversity found in nature]. Ask students to try to define “Ecological Heritage.” Explain “Ecological Heritage” is biodiversity inherited from previous generations, and something to appreciate and respect, as well.
   
   Cultural Heritage
   Definition: Ways of living that we have inherited across generations. Examples: Swedish meatballs; Indian Sari dress; Uygur dance from Xinjiang, China; Fly fishing in Indiana
   
   Ecological Heritage
   Definition: Biodiversity that we have inherited across generations.
   Examples: Trees, plants, flowers, birds, ocean, lakes, rivers, atmosphere, etc.

02. Glocal Awareness: At the Same Moment Around the World by Stacey Schuett (25 min)

1. Highlight: We are all connected by the shared resource of time!
2. Explain: At one moment, it is a different time of the day around the world. This is because the Earth is spinning in a circle, either facing toward or facing away from the sun. When it is noon here, it is midnight on the other side of the world.
3. Guide: Invite students to record the name of the nation or state where their furthest known relatives came from. Ask students to tape card on a classroom world map.
   Highlight that that our classroom is very glocal, as we have roots from around the world!
4. Read Aloud: At the Same Moment Around the World by Stacey Schuett
5. Emphasize: The world map provides a visual example of glocal by showing our diverse global and local cultural roots, and that many of our families migrated at one point.

Homework: Look for things around you in daily life that are “global” “local” and “glocal.”