CPAW - COMPUTER PALS ACROSS THE WORLD
CPAW is collaborating with Project ELEVATE for the International Writing Project for 2017. Project ELEVATE is working with 12 schools in Central Florida; schools that have high percentages of low-income learners, very diverse ethnicities and high incidence of English Learners who are immigrants.
The purpose of IWP is to offer enrichment and curriculum extension to learners in a Schoolwide context to stimulate the talents and abilities of these learners.
Objectives:
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Linking classrooms in the USA with classrooms in other countries
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In Year 1 we are linking to classrooms in Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, South Africa, Ireland and Australia
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Project ELEVATE is developing lesson plans for extended learning on these countries and case studies of the experience of immigrants who come from these countries
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To develop connections and friendships with children around the world to understand life in these countries
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To examine critical issues that impact learners in these countries and challenges they face
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To empower marginalized learners who will work on collaborative projects to support those experiencing similar or worse challenges in their lives
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To develop global awareness and a response to high needs where students develop unique products to send to children in extreme need - service learning
International Writing Project 2017
Theme: ELEVATING global pals in need
Students will link to Computer Pals in another country to share their interests and talents, daily lives, their family life, their cultures, their concerns and issues facing their communities. They will use multiple online formats. Results of the project will be shared on this website.
Literacy Skills
Digital Media
Once students have come to know their global pals, they will study the concept of ELEVATING in their classroom through curriculum and invite authors and speakers to learn more about effective writing about the theme
Writing Skills
Aspects of the concept of ELEVATING can be infused in the Mathematics Curriculum. Data related to their teamed classrooms, the interests of their pals, the costs of making their creative products can be infused.
Mathematics
A key aspect is knowledge of the geography of the teamed classroom location, and scientific observations that impact conditions there. Water systems, food supplies, housing, etc. can be explored through the concept of ELEVATION
Science
Creative Productivity
Learners who are impoverished may not have been stimulated to develop their own creative and critical thinking, nor something of real value that they can share and give to someone who may have less than themselves. They will develop this in IWP
Service Learning
Students will develop creative projects that will support their global pals in need across the world, choosing a country or special school where they will send their projects or products. CPAW will link IWP schools with possible children in need
Examples of Projects
At one of our Project Schools, the students came up with their own key problem as a result of a student being hospitalized. They decided to develop a "Blankets and Books" project. They created blankets in class, worked with donations to collect children's books. They then researched local agencies and hospitals to determined where to donate their project outcomes. They wrote personal letters to the children in each of the books. (Fall, 2016)
